Skip to main content
Home > Sell > Seller Central > Advanced Selling > Stores > Listing Strategies
eBay Stores Login

Open a Store, click here

New to eBay Stores
• What's an eBay Store

• Why Open a Store

• Subscriptions and Fees

• Success Stories

eBay Stores Toolkit
• Overview

• Build Your Store

   - Anatomy of a Store

   - Custom Store Header

• Manage Your Sales

   - Listing Strategies

• Promote Your Store

• Track Your Success

• Checklist for Success

• Tutorials

Related Links
• Latest News

• Stores News Group

• Stores Discussion
  Board

• Featured Store Benefits

• Frequently Asked
  Questions

• Stores Glossary

• Additional Resources

Related Sales Channels
• eBay Express

• Shopping.com

• ProStores

• PayPal
Listing Strategies for eBay Stores Sellers

eBay Stores sellers can list in three formats: Auction-style, Fixed Price, and Store Inventory. All listing formats automatically appear in your Store and can be created using the Sell Your Item form, TurboLister2, Selling Manager Pro, or your favorite listing tool.

  Tip: Learn more about editing Store Inventory items in bulk and sending items from Store Inventory to other formats.

Step 1) Understanding the characteristics of each listing format:

Auction-style & Fixed Price Listings Store Inventory Listings
Fees Insertion Fees
Final Value Fees
Optional Feature Fees
Insertion Fees: Start at $0.05 for every 30 days
Final Value Fees
Optional Feature Fees
Duration 1,3,5,7,10 days 30 days or Good 'Til Cancelled
Inclusion in eBay main search Always Appear in the main search results when 30 or fewer Auction-style and Fixed Price results surface in the following areas:
  • Learn more
  • Inclusion in eBay Store Always Always


    Step 2) List in All Formats to Attract More Buyers
    As shown below, we recommend that you list in all formats.Many buyers enjoy the thrill of Auction-style listings on eBay. Others love the instant gratification of Fixed Price and Store Inventory purchases. Your Store showcases all of your listings in all formats, so you can reach the full spectrum of eBay buyers.

    Scenario 1- Auction-style & Fixed Price Listings ONLY
    It is important to have Auction-style & Fixed Price listings to cross-promote your Store and Store Inventory listings. Low levels of Store Inventory may mean that you are not taking full advantage of your eBay Stores subscription, which offers differentiated pricing, exposure and duration.

    Scenario 2- A Mix of Auction-style, Fixed Price & Store Inventory Listings
    The ideal listing format breakdown is going to depend on several factors, such as your inventory make-up and business goals. Example:
    • Unique/Hard-to-find Items
      We suggest higher levels of Auction-style & Fixed Price items to attract demand.
    • Accessories & Hard-to-find Items
      We suggest an approximately even split of Auction-style, Fixed Price & Store Inventory.
    • Accessories with Inventory Depth
      We suggest a higher level of Store Inventory.
    Scenario 3- Store Inventory Listings ONLY Listing close to 100% of your inventory in Store Inventory, does not help leverage the high built-in traffic that comes with Auction-style and Fixed Price listings. With high levels of Store Inventory, you will likely need to put in more effort to drive traffic to your listings because Store Inventory has less exposure than other listing formats.

    Review Step 3 below to further identify what is right for your business.


    Step 3) Evaluate how product type and merchandise selection will introduce your listing strategy.

    Cross-Promote Store Inventory in Listings to Increase Visibility
    It's important to note that Auction-style and Fixed Price listings obtain more exposure in eBay search and browse results. Because Store Inventory items appear after all matching Auction-style and Fixed Price listings only in specific cases, a best practice is to list Auction-style and Fixed Price listings in addition to Store Inventory items. You can then use Stores Listing Frame and Cross-Promotion tool to drive buyers from your Auction-style and Fixed Price listings directly to your Store categories and Store Inventory items.

    Check Item and Category Sales Patterns
    Use eBay Marketplace Research to see what listing formats are most successful for the items you sell. The most popular format is a good one to try, but remember that a shortage of any one format may also signal an opportunity to attract buyers who other sellers are missing.

    Attract more buyers by offering discounted pricing on your items with Markdown Manager!
    Drive buyer excitement by creating a Sale that discounts the prices of your items. Click here to learn more.
    Access this feature in Manage My Store. Visit our Markdown Manger tutorial and FAQs.

    Optimize Your Listing Strategy
    Markets change so refining your listing strategy should be an ongoing process. Use your Store Traffic Reports to see where your buyers are coming from. For example, if you notice most of your buyers are coming from Auction-style listings, you should experiment with increasing listings in this format.


    Consider Product Type and Merchandise Selection

    Commodities - It is generally a good idea to use Store Inventory or Fixed Price for commodity items. Be sure to review comparable items to determine current market pricing.

    Unique and Hard-to-Find Items - Auction-style listings can help maximize the final sale prices for these highly sought-after items.

    Brand New Merchandise - Brand new merchandise may be eligible for extra exposure on eBay Express if listed as Fixed Price or Store Inventory.

    Popular and Sale Items - List items that you expect to generate the most traffic and excitement in Auction-style format.

    Accessories and Add-ons - List these items in Store Inventory or Fixed Price format, and be sure to cross-promote them from the primary item listing. Offer shipping discounts or promotions on these items to maximize add-on sales.

    Multiple Styles, Sizes and Colors - If you carry a wide variety of sizes, colors and styles, using Store Inventory can be very cost-effective. Direct buyers from Auction-style and Fixed Price listings to additional sizes and colors of the same items in your Store.

    Multiple Quantity Items - Insertion fees for Store Inventory listings start at just 5¢ for every 30 days, regardless of quantity. If you have inventory of popular or commodity items, consider running 10-day Auction-style listings to build traffic and link buyers to the same items at fixed prices in your Store.

    Infrequent Market Demand - If you have items that sell dependably but infrequently, Store Inventory is likely to be the most cost-effective listing format for these items.

    Wide Selection of Related Items - Are you selling a wide selection of related items, such as auto parts or specialized craft supplies? Store Inventory allows you to offer a wider range of inventory, which can help increase total sales and boost profits.


      Drive more buyers to visit your eBay Store.
    Learn more about the tools that can help you increase your Store visibility.
      Increase traffic to your Store
    Send professional looking email newsletters to buyers and trigger repeat sales with Stores Email Marketing.Learn more