TLDR
- eBay is eliminating approximately 800 positions, about 6% of its total workforce
- The workforce reduction affects multiple departments as part of strategic realignment
- The e-commerce giant recently finalized a deal to purchase Depop from Etsy for roughly $1.2 billion
- Fourth quarter revenue increased 15% year-over-year to $2.97 billion, exceeding analyst forecasts
- First quarter revenue guidance projects $3 billion to $3.05 billion
eBay revealed Thursday that it plans to eliminate roughly 800 positions, accounting for approximately 6% of its 12,300-person global workforce.
The online marketplace positioned the workforce reduction as part of a comprehensive strategy to “reinvest across the business” and better synchronize operations with key strategic objectives.
eBay did not provide a specific implementation schedule for the job eliminations, nor did it disclose whether it anticipates recording restructuring expenses.
The position eliminations affect various departments throughout the organization, with decisions driven by operational model requirements, redundant functions, and strategic alignment considerations.
According to the company’s latest SEC filing, close to 60% of eBay’s employees work within the United States.
The workforce announcement follows closely behind eBay‘s agreement to acquire Depop — the pre-owned fashion marketplace currently owned by Etsy — for an estimated $1.2 billion cash transaction.
Chief Executive Jamie Iannone indicated that the Depop acquisition would strengthen eBay’s position in fashion, which ranks among its most rapidly expanding categories. Approximately 90% of Depop’s active users are younger than 34 years old.
Recent Financial Performance
eBay disclosed fourth quarter revenue totaling $2.97 billion, representing a 15% year-over-year increase and surpassing Wall Street projections.
Gross merchandise volume climbed 10% to reach $21.2 billion. Transaction volume from priority categories — encompassing collectibles, automotive parts, and refurbished merchandise — expanded more than 16% compared to the previous year.
Adjusted earnings reached $1.41 per share, exceeding the analyst consensus of $1.35. Net income, conversely, declined to $528 million from $679 million during the comparable period last year.
AI and Competitive Push
eBay has been accelerating artificial intelligence investments while simultaneously implementing cost-reduction initiatives. The platform has integrated AI capabilities internally and throughout buyer and seller platforms, and has established a collaboration with OpenAI focused on an agentic web browser.
This represents another chapter in ongoing workforce adjustments. eBay has been steadily reducing headcount over recent years as it strives to maintain competitiveness with major competitors like Amazon and Walmart, alongside emerging challengers including TikTok Shop, Temu, and Shein.
Earlier this week, eBay also finalized a legal settlement with a Massachusetts couple who experienced stalking and harassment from former eBay employees who took issue with their e-commerce blog. Settlement details remain confidential.
For the first quarter of 2026, eBay projected adjusted earnings between $1.53 and $1.59 per share with revenue ranging from $3 billion to $3.05 billion. Wall Street analysts had previously forecasted $1.57 per share on $2.99 billion in revenue.
