OnBuy launches rival e-marketplace
By Retail Technology | Wednesday May 8 2013
Brand new British online marketplace not limited to barcoded items is set to launch in June to challenge the dominance of the current, global market-leading incumbents
A brand new online marketplace is launching in June called OnBuy, which is aiming to challenge the dominance of the two global leaders in this space – Amazon and eBay.
The marketplace claims to be different because it is not limited to barcoded only items It will focus heavily on individual sellers offering products from hand-crafted items, as well as food and drink and artwork to vintage clothing and antiques.
Cas Paton, OnBuy managing director and founder of UK web development agency, OnTop Media – which has worked on systems for organisations including the Ministry of Defence – said he came up with the idea after years of seeing shoppers’ dissatisfaction and sellers’ frustrations with the two leading online marketplaces.
He decided that an easy to use online marketplace which takes the most successful aspects from both market leaders, and combines them within a unique navigation framework, would attract a high level of attention and ultimately fill a gap in the market.
“Basically, we want to offer a better service than the leading marketplaces, for both buyers and sellers” he stated.
Developing competitive differentiation
The marketplace has been designed to be simple to use, due its navigation structure. Shoppers are able to search for a product, and then add a bespoke range of filters. An exclusive discounting structure will enable shoppers to find the best deals – with the aim of making OnBuy synonymous with good deals – on a range of different products.
For sellers, OnBuy will also offer a management service that includes the uploading and managing of their inventories when merchants send through product images and numbers. And it is also touting "significantly cheaper fees," although specific details were not available at the time of publication.
Within the last few weeks OnBuy has secured major investment from Hampshire-based IT provider, Centerprise International.
“The value and experience, product reach and support services that Centerprise International offer are going to be fundamental to the success of OnBuy,” added Paton. “They’ve been trading for 30 years, working closely with some of the largest IT companies in the world.”
Garry Stevens, group chief executive of Centerprise International, commented: “We see OnBuy becoming part of the way that people buy online, setting new standards in reach and choice."
