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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a formal inquiry into the planned acquisition of fashion resale platform Depop by Ebay.
It comes as the regulator invited interested parties to submit views on how the transaction might impact marketplace competition.
The CMA has set a deadline of 6 August 2026 to deliver its first-stage decision, after which it will determine whether the deal could significantly reduce competition in the UK online secondhand clothing sector.
Earlier this year, Etsy agreed to sell Depop to Ebay in a $1.2bn (£890m) deal.
Ebay said the acquisition would strengthen its C2C strategy by “deepening its reach with younger, fashion-forward consumers and expanding its presence in one of the most dynamic areas of resale”.
It added that Depop would benefit from Ebay’s scale and suite of capabilities, including its financial services, shipping solutions, and features such as the Authenticity Guarantee. It said it will also expand the visibility of Depop’s inventory, including through cross-listing opportunities.
The move comes as Depop welcomed strong momentum in 2025, with annual gross merchandise sales (GMS) of around $1bn (£740m) and a year-on-year growth of nearly 60% in the US.
As of December 31, 2025 the marketplace had seven million active buyers, nearly 90% of which are under the age of 34, and more than three million active sellers.
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals, and following its completion, Depop is expected to retain its name, brand and platform.
