Europe

Mario Calabrese

About Mario Calabrese …

Mario Calabrese and his family have been in the footwear business since 1935. Mario’s grandfather was a shoemaker by trade and his father evolved the business by opening a brick and mortar retail store in the family’s small community of Grassano. Mario began working in the family business as a child, helping out at the store after school. In 1992 Mario’s father formally handed the business down to him, but as big shopping centers began entering the local market, the business struggled to remain competitive.

The large majority of small firms using eBay trade across borders. These entrepreneurs operate in a different environment, empowering them to think and act globally. This paper shares key learnings from a wide variety of EU entrepreneurs who have embarked on the global trade path.

Trade policy has traditionally been viewed as only being beneficial to large firms seeking access to new markets.  This paper explores a new development in the trade world  - that the Internet enables small businesses to engage in trade in a way never imagined.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalisation and technology is liberating the ambitions of SMBs.

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having across the EU. It will also show how the economic activity of small online companies is emerging across the continent’s regions – Sidley economists have measured the “Digital Density” of the EU’s regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The research results show that small online businesses on eBay across Europe are exporting to more countries than ever before, both in Europe and beyond, gaining market share more quickly, and showing better resilience in the face of tough trading conditions, than small businesses that are offline. They are effectively Small Global Traders.

Technology is reducing barriers to global markets by allowing these eBay SMBs access to services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. This is allowing small businesses to compete with larger firms, and reducing the dominance of bigger firms on the marketplace.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace in Europe from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists conducted econometric and statistical research based on a number of datasets covering eBay marketplace transactions and small online businesses on eBay in the EU and globally. To ensure that the community of small commercial enterprises on eBay was properly captured, the team limited the data to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000 (approximately €9000) annually on the eBay marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses. Sometimes, for short they are referred to as eBay SMBs. To allow for comparisons with “traditional” SMBs, i.e., regular brick-and-mortar companies, Sidley has used data from publicly available sources, including from the World Bank, UN Comtrade, Eurostat, and various statistical agencies within Member States.

Technology is ensuring Europe’s SMBs are truly European, and even global, from birth. These new businesses are trading within the EU and with the rest of the world, accelerating the integration of the EU’s internal market and its more than 270 regions. In 40% of EU regions, every small business on eBay is leveraging the eBay Marketplace to export internationally. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in Europe’s most wealthy countries, in its major capitals or most prosperous regions – entrepreneurs are no longer tied to any particular geography. For instance, since 2011, more than 130,000 new digital small businesses have emerged, with sales of nearly €18.5bn.

As in eBay’s previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broadbased growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalisation and technology

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having in Italy. It will also show how economic activity of small online businesses is emerging across the country. Sidley economists have measured the “Digital Density” of Italy’s regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on a study of data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists then looked at which sellers are registered in Italy. To ensure that the community of small commercial enterprises on eBay was fully captured, the data was limited to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000 (approximately €9,000) annually on the eBay Marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses. Sometimes, for short they are referred to as eBay SMBs.

The research results show that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for SMBs across Italy. Technology is reducing barriers to global markets by allowing SMBs access to products and services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. Based on an analysis of this data, Sidley economists estimate trade costs to be four to five times lower on the online marketplace compared to the traditional marketplace, and this is something Italian small businesses are taking advantage of.

A massive 92% of SMBs on eBay in Italy export – far higher than businesses that have not embraced online – and they reach on average 15 different countries annually. They are effectively global small businesses, and they operate from almost anywhere. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in Italy’s more central or prosperous regions, and entrepreneurs are not tied to any particular geography. The research results presented in this report paint a picture of a much more inclusive marketplace: not dominated by a few “superstars”, but rather welcoming to startups, and encompassing the whole of Italy.

The report does not just rely on eBay data but contrasts research findings from the eBay Marketplace with “traditional” trade data publicly available elsewhere – in particular World Bank data and surveys. 

As in previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broad-based growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalisation and technology are liberating the ambitions of SMBs.

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having in the UK. It will also show how economic activity of small online businesses is emerging across the country. Sidley economists have measured the “Digital Density” of UK regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on a study of data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists then looked at which sellers are registered in the UK. To ensure that the community of small online businesses on eBay were fully
captured, the data was limited to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000, (approximately £6,400) annually on the eBay Marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses. Sometimes, for short they are referred to as eBay SMBs.

The research results show that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for SMBs across the UK. Technology is reducing barriers to global markets by allowing SMBs access to services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. Based on an analysis of this data, Sidley economists estimate trade costs to be four to five times lower on the online marketplace compared to the traditional marketplace, and this is something UK small businesses are taking advantage of.

A massive 91% of SMBs on eBay in the UK export – far higher than businesses that have not embraced online – and they reach on average 20 different countries annually. They are effectively Small Global Traders, and they operate from almost anywhere in the country. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in the UK’s more central or prosperous regions, and entrepreneurs are not tied to any particular geography. The research results presented in this report paint a picture of a much more inclusive marketplace: not dominated by a few “superstars”, but rather welcoming to startups, and encompassing the whole of the UK

The report does not just rely on eBay data but contrasts research findings from the eBay Marketplace with “traditional” trade data publicly available elsewhere – in particular World Bank and Eurostat data and surveys.

As in previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broad-based growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalisation and technology is liberating the ambitions of SMBs.

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having in Germany. It will also show how economic activity of small online businesses is emerging across the country. Sidley economists have measured the “Digital Density” of German regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on a study of data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists then looked at which sellers are registered in Germany. To ensure that the community of small commercial enterprises on eBay was fully captured, the data was limited to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000, (approximately €9,000) annually on the eBay Marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses. Sometimes, for shorthand they are referred to as eBay SMBs.

The research results show that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for SMBs across Germany. Technology is reducing barriers to global markets by allowing SMBs access to products and services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. Based on an analysis of this data, Sidley economists estimate trade costs to be four to five times lower on the online marketplace compared to the traditional marketplace, and this is something German small businesses are taking advantage of.

A massive 94% of SMBs on eBay in Germany export – far higher than businesses that have not embraced online – and they reach on average 14 different countries annually. They are effectively multi-country exporters, and they operate from almost anywhere in the country. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in the Germany’s more central or prosperous regions, and entrepreneurs are not tied to any particular geography. The research results presented in this report paint a picture of a much more inclusive marketplace: less dominated by a few “superstars”, welcoming to startups, and encompassing the whole of Germany.

The report does not just rely on eBay data but contrasts research findings from the eBay Marketplace with “traditional” trade data publicly available elsewhere – in particular World Bank data and surveys. As in previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broad-based growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalisation and technology is liberating the ambitions of SMBs.

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having in France. It will also show how economic activity of small online businesses is emerging across the country. Sidley economists have measured the “Digital Density” of French regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on a study of data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists then looked at which sellers are registered in France. To ensure that the community of small commercial enterprises on eBay was fully captured, the data was limited to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000, (approximately €9,000) annually on the eBay Marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses1. Sometimes, for short they are referred to as eBay SMBs.

The research results show that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for SMBs across France. Technology is breaking down barriers to global markets by allowing SMBs access to products and services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. Based on an analysis of this data, our analysts estimate trade costs to be four to five times lower on the online marketplace compared to the traditional marketplace, and this is something French small businesses are taking advantage of.

A massive 97% of SMBs on eBay in France export – far higher than businesses that have not embraced online – and they reach on average 14 different countries annually. They are effectively Small Global Traders, and they operate from almost anywhere. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in France’s more central or prosperous regions, and entrepreneurs are not tied to any particular geography. The research results presented in this report paint a picture of a much more inclusive marketplace: less dominated by a few “superstars”, welcoming to startups, and encompassing the whole of France.

The report does not just rely on eBay data but contrasts research findings from the eBay Marketplace with “traditional” trade data publicly available elsewhere – in particular World Bank data and surveys.

As in previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broad-based growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

In recent years, technology has ensured more equal economic opportunities for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2011, the eBay Public Policy Lab and a team of economists at Sidley Austin LLP have been working together to examine how globalization and technology is liberating the ambitions of SMBs.

This report presents new findings coming out of this collaboration, exploring what is nothing short of a trade revolution and the impact this is having in Spain. It will also show how economic activity of small online businesses is emerging across the country. Sidley economists have measured the “Digital
Density” of Spain’s regions by assessing the number of small businesses on eBay alongside their location and volume of sales.

The analysis carried out by Sidley Austin for this report is based on a study of data covering transactions on the eBay Marketplace from 2010 to 2014. Sidley economists then looked at which sellers are registered in Spain. To ensure that the community of small commercial enterprises on eBay was fully captured, the data was limited to transactions by sellers with sales of more than $10,000, approximately €9,000 annually on the eBay Marketplace. These are called “Commercial Sellers”, or small online businesses. Sometimes, for short they are referred to as eBay SMBs.

The research results show that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for SMBs across Spain. Technology is reducing barriers to global markets by allowing SMBs access to products and services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation. Based on an analysis of this data, Sidley economists estimate trade costs to be four to five times lower on the online marketplace compared to the traditional marketplace, and this is something Spanish small businesses are taking advantage of.

A massive 95% of SMBs on eBay in Spain export – far higher than businesses that have not embraced online – and they reach on average 21 different countries annually. They are effectively Small Global Traders and they operate from almost anywhere in the country. Thanks to technology, businesses do not need to be located in Spain’s more central or prosperous regions, and entrepreneurs are not tied to any particular geography. The research results presented in this report paint a picture of a much more inclusive marketplace: less dominated by a few “superstars”, welcoming to startups, and encompassing the whole of Spain.

The report does not just rely on eBay data but contrasts research findings from the eBay Marketplace with “traditional” trade data publicly available elsewhere – in particular World Bank data and surveys.

As in previous reports, the eBay Marketplace provides the illustration of a new model for trade that is emerging, one that increases the prospects for more broad-based growth. These findings allow for wider conclusions about trade and growth that go far beyond eBay itself.

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