Key Highlights
- E-commerce platform cutting roughly 800 jobs, representing 6% of entire workforce
- Staff reductions span across various departments in strategic reorganization effort
- eBay completing acquisition of Depop fashion marketplace from Etsy for $1.2 billion
- Q4 revenue surged 15% year-over-year to $2.97 billion, beating analyst estimates
- Company guidance for Q1 projects revenue between $3 billion and $3.05 billion
On Thursday, eBay announced its intention to cut approximately 800 jobs from its global workforce of around 12,300 employees.
The e-commerce giant described these job cuts as a component of a broader effort to “reinvest across the business” and align its operations more effectively with strategic priorities.
eBay hasn’t specified an exact timeline for implementing these layoffs or indicated whether the company will incur any associated restructuring charges.
The job eliminations will impact multiple departments across the organization, with decisions based on operational needs, removal of duplicate roles, and alignment with corporate strategy.
Based on recent SEC filings, approximately 60% of eBay’s entire employee base is located in the United States.
The staffing announcement arrives shortly after eBay confirmed its deal to acquire Depop — the secondhand fashion platform currently under Etsy’s ownership — for approximately $1.2 billion in an all-cash deal.
Chief Executive Jamie Iannone stated that bringing Depop into the fold will bolster eBay’s fashion category, which stands as one of its fastest-growing business areas. Depop appeals predominantly to younger consumers, with roughly 90% of its user base below 34 years old.
Q4 Financial Performance
The online marketplace reported fourth quarter revenues of $2.97 billion, marking a 15% year-over-year gain that topped analyst expectations.
Gross merchandise volume increased 10% to reach $21.2 billion. Sales in focus categories — including collectibles, auto parts, and refurbished goods — grew more than 16% versus the prior year period.
Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.41, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.35. Net income, however, dropped to $528 million compared with $679 million in the year-ago quarter.
AI Development and Competitive Landscape
Alongside workforce optimization measures, eBay is actively advancing its artificial intelligence investments. The company has rolled out AI-driven solutions for both backend processes and user-facing applications, including a partnership with OpenAI for agentic browsing technology.
This workforce adjustment marks the latest in a series of staff reductions at eBay. The company has progressively trimmed its employee count in recent years while striving to remain competitive against retail giants like Amazon and Walmart, plus newer entrants including TikTok Shop, Temu, and Shein.
Also this week, eBay reached a settlement with a Massachusetts couple who were victims of stalking and harassment by former company staff members dissatisfied with the couple’s e-commerce industry blog. The settlement details have not been disclosed publicly.
For the first quarter of 2026, eBay forecasts adjusted earnings per share in the range of $1.53 to $1.59 on revenues between $3 billion and $3.05 billion. Analysts had projected $1.57 per share on revenues of $2.99 billion.
