eBay to run its biggest ad campaign in years

London E-commerce site eBay is to launch one of the biggest UK advertising campaigns in its 11-year history, as the site looks to bulk up its presence in an increasingly competitive online retail market.

With adverts appearing in many of the UK's women's magazines as well as on billboards, eBay is looking to capitalise on predictions that more consumers will shop online in the run-up to Christmas this year.

Angus McCarey, director of eBay Enterprise, said the site has seen a 25 per cent increase in the number of shoppers opting to buy fashion items over the last year. "The Fashion Outlet is our fastest growing sales channel and this advertising assault reflects our growing position as a leading fashion destination," he added. "There is huge potential for growth in the online fashion market."

Since its launch in May, eBay's Fashion Outlet has generated sales totalling around £4 million (Dh22.5 million) for the brands sellling through the site. Although no figures were given for the number of people shopping on eBay's Fashion Outlet, 4.6 million shoppers bought items through the site in the three months from May 2010.