eBay, together with the Halifax Regional Municipality, announced the launch of Retail Revival, a program designed to help small and medium-sized retailers harness the power of ecommerce and global trade. This eBay program, the first of its kind in Canada, is supported by all three levels of government.
The free 12-month training, support and educational program empowers small and medium-sized retailers to thrive locally by leveraging eBay’s global marketplace to reach new customers around the world. The program will also include a dedicated customer service support team, digital tools and subscriptions, promotional marketing from eBay, as well as additional education and resources from participating partners focused on small business and exporting.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, and they are making valuable contributions to the economic viability of their communities,” says the Honorable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion. “Through the Retail Revival program, Nova Scotia entrepreneurs will have the tools and support they need to take advantage of exporting opportunities to international customers by utilizing e-commerce.”
(L-R) Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education and MLA for Halifax; John Rogers, CEO of the Halifax Partnership; Andrea Stairs, General Manager of eBay Canada and Latin America; Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion; Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax; Mike Savage, Mayor of Halifax
Halifax was selected for the strength and diversity of its small business community, the growth opportunity for ecommerce and exporting from the local retail sector and the region’s commitment to small business and its vision for local economic growth overall.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are essential to our economy, and we want to see them thrive. Nova Scotia is partnering with eBay Canada to help our smaller retailers start exporting or grow their exports through e-commerce, and we are making sure the pilot can have both a footprint in Halifax and extend its reach and benefits to retailers in communities across the province,” says Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
As cross-border ecommerce continues to trend up, (expected to comprise 20 percent of all worldwide ecommerce by 2022) Export Development Canada also notes that companies that export make more money, grow faster and do a better job weathering economic ups and downs including seasonality.
“Strong, independent small businesses have always played an important role in our local economy and in shaping our character of place,” says Halifax Mayor Mike Savage. “As Halifax and Nova Scotia are working to embrace the innovation economy, we are proud to have this partnership with eBay Canada as an opportunity to keep local retailers competitive in a global marketplace.”
eBay’s platform connects retailers of all shapes and sizes to 177 million active buyers in 190 markets across the world. In Canada, 99 percent of small retailers on eBay export, and to an average of 18 markets, compared to 12 percent of traditional small businesses that engage in global trade.
“As one of the most robust online marketplaces in the world, enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses is central to eBay’s business and purpose,” says Andrea Stairs, General Manager, eBay Canada & Latin America. “We’re thrilled to be working with partners from all three levels of government on a program that fosters inclusive trade by connecting Canadian small retailers to the global economy through eBay.”
This announcement follows successful Retail Revival program launches in Akron, Ohio, Lansing, Michigan and Wolverhampton, UK during 2018. Cumulatively, these three cities have already helped the small businesses involved generate millions of dollars in sales and export to over 80 international markets.
For more information about the program and to apply, please visit www.ebayinc.com/halifax.