When it comes to online shopping, it's pretty hard to go past eBay. Sure, Amazon is huge (and will soon have drones) and there are plenty of smaller niche retailers, but when it comes to sheer size and range no other platform comes close.

As we rapidly approach Christmas we thought it apt to take a closer look into the evolving world of eBay, thanks to these figures from Daily Infographic. 

Laser vision

Launched in 1995, eBay was created by software engineer Pierre Omidyar and orginally known by the slightly less catching title “uctionWeb”.

Omidyar wanted to change the name to echobay, but after discovering that name was already taken shortened it to eBay.

To test the new site Omidyar posted a broken laser pointer for sale. He was surprised when someone bought it for US$14.95.

Rapid growth

In 1996 eBay hosted 250,000 items for sale. A year later that number had grown to 24 million – an increase of 9600 per cent!

Tech is tops

Tech items such as smartphones, tablets and GPS devices are the most popular search terms on eBay.

These are followed by clothes, cosmetics, furniture and pottery.

Money talks

These days eBay's 90 million users generate annual sales over US$60 billion.

If eBay was a nation is would be the 13th most populous in the world, and the 65th wealthiest. 

To find out more visit dailyinfographic.com.  

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