Page 28 - March 2021

Putting

People First

Launched in November 2016, OnBuy.com has quickly
become the fastest-growing marketplace in the world by

creating a fair, transparent and ethical marketplace that
benefits buyers and sellers. Here, RLI spends some time

with Founder and CEO Cas Paton to discuss the origins
of the company, what makes it stand out and what the
next steps are.

aving worked in e-commerce since the age “After a landmark year in 2020, with 605 per cent year-to-
of 21, OnBuy.com Founder and CEO Cas date growth and sales soaring from a run rate of £24 million
Paton noticed a gap in the market, which to over £200 million, we are quickly gaining market share.”
Hwas the increasing need for a professional OnBuy enables international selling. They’ve embarked on
online marketplace that provided a level playing field an aggressive international expansion plan, which will see
for all its sellers. them reach over 140 new territories – including the US,
The company was created to be a partner to retailers Germany, France, Spain, and the UAE – by the end of 2023.
that sell on the platform, not to be a competitor, whilst at the Even with the difficult market conditions currently, the
same time offering customers a better shopping experience. company has not had to adjust their objectives for the
Today they have upwards of 35 million products on offer coming 12 months too much. They have always strived
from reputable sellers, with just less than six million monthly to offer sellers a viable, dependable route to market and
website visitors. From household names to independent provide customers with more choice and convenience,
sellers, customers can shop securely for products from a which has become all the more important over the past year
range of categories, such as electricals, beauty, home and as people have been unable to visit brick-and-mortar stores.
garden, toys and baby supplies. “With the closing of non-essential retail for so much
“We’ve recently reported a record-breaking start to 2021, of the year, we were absolutely determined to ensure we
where we saw 800 per cent year-on-year growth in January, truly supported our retailer base and protect as many
beating last year’s January sales in the first three days of the small businesses as possible. Our sellers deserved the best
year,” explains Paton. possible chance to success during lockdown, with many of
28 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2021