eBay stands as one of the largest online marketplaces globally, with Japan emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for eBay sellers. The platform, reflecting Japan's unique resale culture, has become a hub for diverse items ranging from trading cards to car parts. eBay Japan regularly compiles data on trending items every three months, offering insights into the dynamic market. The most recent data, released in October, highlights some interesting trends.
Unsurprisingly, trading cards have experienced exponential growth in recent years. Whether it's Pokémon cards, One Piece cards, or the increased interest in Yu-Gi-Oh! cards due to their 25th anniversary this year, the market has been flourishing. The establishment of a PSA office in Japan has further facilitated the sale of graded cards by Japanese sellers.
eBay introduced the 'eBaymag' tool, enabling sellers to reach a broader audience by selling products in multiple countries. Japanese sellers can now conveniently tap into the markets of the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Australia.
In addition to trading cards, the automotive parts sector witnessed substantial growth in the past year. The demand for original parts from Japanese cars dating back to the 80s and 90s, coupled with the global popularity of renowned aftermarket parts, remains strong. The market size for automotive parts sold from Japan to overseas through eBay has expanded fivefold over the past five years.
As eBay continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape, Japanese sellers find themselves at the forefront of these exciting trends, offering a diverse range of products to a global audience. The platform's ability to capture Japan's unique resale culture further solidifies its position as a key player in the Japanese e-commerce market.
Ranking categories that sold the most
In comparison to the previous year, the top three categories on eBay Japan have maintained their dominance, with 'Clothing & Accessories for Women' retaining its position as the best-selling category. Notably, there has been a significant rise in the rankings for 'Photo/Digital Cameras,' ascending two positions since the previous year.
Top Growing Categories:
A noteworthy shift in the rankings compared to the prior year showcases the dynamic nature of eBay Japan's market. The new top three categories are as follows: 1st - Trading Cards (+54% YoY), 2nd - Car Parts (+53% YoY), and 3rd - Photo/Digital Cameras (+48% YoY).
In-Depth Category Analysis
Collectibles Category
Among the collectibles, the 151 Pokémon card box sets emerged as the best-selling within the card box sets category. Trading cards, including popular series like Pokemon, One Piece, and Yugioh, enjoy global appeal, with sales not only in the US but also in the EU and Australia. The integration of eBayma has empowered Japanese sellers to reach a broader international audience by automatically translating Japanese texts and converting currencies.
Authenticated cards are gaining traction, with PSA leading the way, and having its new office in Japan, and a growing number of cards being authenticated by BGS, signaling a promising future for the authenticated card market.
Car Parts/Camera Category
Car Parts:
Japanese car parts continue to be a top-performing category, with notable sales of products like a set of GTR R33 headlights fetching 1,900,000 JPY (12,500 USD). The JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) community heavily relies on eBay for Japanese aftermarket car parts.
Camera:
Being home to major camera brands, Japan contributes to the success of Camera parts sales. A Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 300mm F2 ED IF sold for a staggering 5,070,000 JPY (35,000 USD). Digital cameras are making a surprising comeback, witnessing over a 100% increase in sales compared to the previous year.
Music/Instruments Category
Musical instruments attract buyers interested in starting a new instrument or collecting rare pieces. A standout product was a single-cutaway Gibson Les Paul Junior, sold for 2,030,000 JPY (14,000 USD).
Fashion Category:
While the fashion category experienced a 6% growth compared to the previous year, handbags and watches emerged as the top-selling products. The weak yen attracted international customers seeking products sold in Japan at a more affordable price.
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