Changes at top of eBay UK

Ebay’s desire to work more closely with retailers has led to a change at the top of the organisation with Tanya Lawler taking over the running of the UK arm from Clare Gilmartin who leaves the business.

Former Sainsbury’s digital and cross-channel director Lawler joined eBay in October 2012 with lots of ideas that sought to increase its collaboration with retailers. The most high profile manifestation of her manifesto to date has been the recent inking of a deal with Argos where shoppers can collect eBay-ordered goods from the high street chain’s outlets.

Such a deal has been very visible evidence of Lawler bringing about change to the eBay business that has for many years been on the road of shifting more of its business to fixed price and working more closely with established retailers.

There is also a strong desire for eBay to grab a greater share of the spending of more affluent shoppers. It is understood the company would like to attract more of the typical shopper of John Lewis. At present the core of its customers are within the C2D demographic.

Although the Argos deal undoubtedly represents an exciting collaboration between eBay and the high street chain it is questionable how much it will actually open the door to new customers for both organisations.

It is understood the  broadening role of Lawler has contributed to the decision by Gilmartin to leave the US-based organisation that  she originally joined in 2005 as head of strategy and new business.

Lawler will shortly be featured on Retail Insider as part of its regular series of Q&A’s with constituents of the ‘Multi-channel/e-commerce Movers & Shakers Top 100’ report. She has been in the list for the last three years.