Cue tears of joy for never having to step foot in a liquor store again: eBay has announced it will be launching a new online destination for wine. eBay Wine users can browse a wide selection of wines including collectibles, rare and everyday wines for all occasions and are able to purchase them online. The company is partnering with Drync, a mobile app platform for vino, to bring a wide selection of wines to its U.S. shoppers through Drync’s retail network.
Not only will customers have the ability to buy wine online in the U.S., the company will also provide an auction format for rare bottles and a store pick option. Buyers will also have access to expert guides and tips on emerging wine trends and must-have accessories.
So will eBay wine be the next best thing?
E-commerce in wine is still in its growing stages and, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen’s Retail Consulting and Analytics Group in June 2015, only 5% of consumers intended to buy wine online in the next six months. But there is a lot of growth potential in the millennial space, as those in that age group are more active online shoppers. This is the crowd that is likely to fuel e-commerce growth in wine in the future. According to IBIS World, boosted by demand from millennials, the online alcohol market is estimated to reach $ 1.4 billion by 2020.
The Unique Technique
The site will include unique and differentiated products and rare wines, which the company hopes will attract more buyers to its marketplace. With over 10,000 different wines to choose from, ranging from vintage to everyday wine, the company’s product inventory is buzzing. The wines are from over 500 regions, ranging from Abruzzo to Wairarpa, and in all price ranges. The variety and range allows the site to appeal to a large assortment of customers, from your casual night drinker to your wine connoisseur. As the online wine shopping industry picks up and eBay adjusts its goal of providing a one of kind inventory to attract shoppers, the range of customers are likely to boost to the company’s success in the long term.