Dive Brief:
- Continuing its quest for enhanced verification processes, eBay has agreed to buy Certilogo, an AI-powered digital ID and authentication company, for an undisclosed sum, according to a Wednesday announcement.
- The deal will strengthen eBay’s ability to authenticate designer garments for secondhand shoppers, the company said.
- EBay signed the agreement on Monday and the deal is expected to close in the third quarter. It is subject to regulatory approval.
Dive Insight:
EBay has recently made other acquisitions to enhance its authentication and fraud detection capabilities. In November 2021, the company bought Sneaker Con Digital’s shoe authentication division. In February, the e-commerce veteran bought 3PM Shield to use the company’s technology to find suspicious merchants on its platform.
“For many years, consumers have turned to eBay as a trusted destination for buying and selling pre-loved apparel and fashion goods, not only because of the unmatched selection, but because of our commitment to utilizing the latest technology to empower our sellers and buyers,” Charis Marquez, vice president of eBay, said in a statement. “Certilogo’s technology and talented team allows eBay to build on this commitment, establishing eBay as a leader in pre-loved fashion, and offering new ways for consumers to connect and engage with brands.”
EBay has also launched authentication programs in-house in recent years. In April 2021, the company began hosting a series of in-person authentication events for luxury watches, trading cards, shoes and other highly desired items in Atlanta, Las Vegas and other major cities. Last month, it unveiled its Certified by Brand program, which lets brands verify the authenticity of used luxury goods such as jewelry, watches and purses.
The company has made strategic investments that could assist in its secondhand sales business. Earlier this month, eBay also invested in SidelineSwap, a marketplace for new and used sporting goods.
