Ebay Axes 800 Jobs—6% of Its Workforce—After $1.2B Depop Deal

Core Viewpoint - eBay is laying off 800 employees, approximately 6% of its workforce, shortly after announcing a $1.2 billion acquisition of Depop and reporting strong fourth-quarter revenue of nearly $3 billion [1][2] Group 1: Layoffs and Workforce Changes - The layoffs are part of eBay's strategy to reinvest and align its structure with strategic priorities, affecting multiple departments [2] - This marks eBay's third round of layoffs in three years, with previous cuts including 1,000 workers (9% of workforce) in early 2024 and 500 jobs (4% of personnel) the year before [2][3] - Approximately one-third of the affected roles are located in the Bay Area, including 243 layoffs at the San Jose headquarters and 28 at the San Francisco office [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Strategic Direction - eBay reported a gross merchandise volume of $21.2 billion in 2025, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year, attributed to a strong strategy and disciplined execution [6] - The CEO emphasized the company's momentum in strategic priorities and growth in re-commerce, positioning eBay strongly in the market [7] Group 3: AI Integration and Future Plans - eBay is actively pursuing AI initiatives, having introduced various features in 2025, such as an OpenAI-powered shopping agent and automated tools for sellers [5] - The company aims to enhance customer experience through AI, reinforcing its leadership in the re-commerce sector [7]