Around three decades after easyJet took on the established airlines, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is turning to e-commerce. His new platform, easyShop.com, part of the easy family of brands, has officially launched across 21 European countries. It is positioned as a competitive alternative to Amazon.
How the platform works
easyShop brings together products from independent merchants. Its technology and operations are handled by OnCommerce, the company behind OnBuy and the new online platform Comet, which is expected to launch soon.
A key element of the business model is that easyShop does not act as a retailer itself. It holds no stock and sells no own-label products. Every product and order corresponds to a sale by a partner merchant.
Competition as the core message
“Competition is good for both consumers and businesses. No market benefits when everyone feels they have only one choice,” said Sir Stelios, the creator and owner of the easy brands.
He said easyShop combines simplicity, affordable prices and choice with a model designed to help partner merchants grow, without the platform competing against them with its own products.
OnCommerce founder and chief executive Cas Paton argued that many merchants build their businesses on platforms that are also their competitors.
“easyShop will never compete with the businesses selling through it by offering its own products,” he said. He added that the aim is to compete with the major e-commerce groups, on terms of cooperation that, in his view, support merchants.
One account for 21 markets
Using a single account, merchants can choose which of the 21 markets to sell in, with VAT calculated automatically. According to the company, merchants do not need to set up a company in each country. The aim is to reduce the cost and complexity of international expansion.
Merchants ahead of the festive season
Following the gradual launch of the local websites, hundreds of merchants are already selling through easyShop. Ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, the platform is inviting more businesses from Greece and the rest of Europe to join, seeking wider participation during the busy trading period.
What consumers are offered
For consumers, the platform brings together millions of products from partner merchants. According to the company, the benefits include:
- competitive prices
- free delivery on millions of products
- rewards on every purchase
- flexible payment options
- verified reviews
How to join
Businesses can register on easyShop, and a Greek-language version of the platform is available at easyshop.com/gr.
