Shoppers in Latin America will find it easier to shop on eBay’s U.S. marketplace thanks to the launch of new Spanish- and Portuguese-language versions of eBay.com where they can view prices in local currencies.
The launch of a localized eBay in Latin America is just the latest in a series of moves to increase cross-border trade in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and emerging markets. eBay has clearly advanced since January 2013 when it described its goals and challenges in BRIC countries in an interview with EcommerceBytes.
In a press release on Thursday heralding the new site, eBay recapped its progress in Russia and Latin America:
“In 2012, eBay launched the first of its localized experiences in Russia, the eBay Moda fashion mobile app, which was translated into Russian with currency conversion in rubles. In April 2013, eBay launched the Russian version of eBay.com, enabling Russian consumers to access eBay’s global inventory of more than 250 million listings in their local language and currency. And, in September 2013, eBay rolled out the first of its localized experiences in Latin America, with the Portuguese-language eBay Moda fashion mobile app.”
eBay also has a presence in India and in China, where it partnered with Xiu.com, a domestic online retailer focused on the fashion and luxury vertical to serve as a conduit for Top-Rated Sellers to reach Chinese buyers
eBay said 2 million Latin Americans currently shop eBay in English and U.S. dollars and said the in-language, tailored experience would now allow them to search in their preferred language and see local currencies. In addition, eBay will run local promotions and deals tailored specifically to their markets.
eBay also announced the launch of its core eBay mobile app in Brazilian Portuguese. The eBay mobile app has been available in Spanish for some time, and is now available in seven languages around the world.
