# Hybrid Retail Platforms eBay's Retail Associate Platform Aims to Increase Brand Engagement By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-01-13 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-retail-platform References: [wwd](http://www.wwd.com/media-news/digital/save-that-sale-ebay-unveils-platform-8105937) & [blog.ebay](http://blog.ebay.com/ebay-inc-introduces-retail-associate-platform-to-support-brands/) First introduced in late 2013 and tested over the last year, [eBay's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebay-1) new [online retail platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-genai-platform) is now ready for brands to use. As an application, the Retail Associate Platform is designed to support [in-store activities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/momentapps) and increase the value of the average purchase. By combining mobile technology, data and customer service, the platform is able to enhance the experience of making a purchase in-store. For example, with the tablet software, even if a particular store does not have your size in stock, sales associates are able to look up inventory in real-time with a feature called 'Endless Aisle' and arrange for another store to fulfill a customer's request on the spot to ensure that sales are made. Brands rolling out eBay's Retail Associate Platform include Nine West, in cities like New York and San Francisco. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Mobile Technology Integration:** The use of mobile technology to enhance the in-store shopping experience creates opportunities for brands to engage customers and increase sales. - **Real-time Inventory Management:** The ability to access real-time inventory information allows brands to provide customers with accurate product availability, improving customer satisfaction and increasing sales. - **Seamless Omnichannel Integration:** By seamlessly integrating online and in-store experiences, brands can create a cohesive shopping journey for customers, leading to higher brand engagement and improved sales. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Retail:** The fashion retail industry can leverage mobile technology and real-time inventory management to provide a personalized and convenient shopping experience for customers. - **Electronics Retail:** The electronics retail industry can benefit from seamless omnichannel integration to offer customers a consistent shopping experience across online and offline channels. - **Home Furnishing Retail:** The home furnishing retail industry can utilize mobile technology and real-time inventory management to help customers find the products they need and increase sales. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Frictionless QR-Based Resale Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebay-1.md) - [Emotionally Intelligent Retailer Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-intelligence-platform.md) - [Agentic Retail Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levi-strauss.md) - [AI-Powered Outfit Shopping Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebay-shop-the-look.md) - [AI Commerce Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imerchai.md) - [Retailer-Backed Reseller Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-preowned.md) - [Generative AI-Powered Retail Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-genai-platform.md) - [Refurbished E-Commerce Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebay-refurbished.md) - [Luxury E-Commerce Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecommerce-apps.md)