New data finds 80% of online small business sellers based in London feel confident about growth over the next 12 months, with 36% describing themselves as ‘very confident.’
Despite this positivity, businesses acknowledge a difficult outlook, citing a challenging UK economic environment (41%), a lack of time due to work or childcare responsibilities (27%), and a lack of access to funding or credit (27%) as their biggest potential barriers to growth.
The research, commissioned by eBay, polled 1,000 UK small businesses selling via online platforms to spotlight a new generation of entrepreneurs that are building full-time businesses on their own terms.
It finds a clear appetite for technology-driven innovation. A combined 75% feel excited (49%) or curious (26%) about AI. More than a third (37%) are using it for admin and content creation, 33% to experiment with new products or ideas, and 32% to list products faster.
The majority of these businesses are launched from homes in the Capital, with 73% starting from a bedroom, kitchen table, or garage.
London also leads the way on shared workspace adoption, with 26% of sellers getting their start in a co-working or collaborative space, significantly higher than most UK regions. This blend of at-home hustle and community-powered innovation reflects London’s unique ecosystem for entrepreneurial growth.
Brad Aspess MBE, Founder of Rarewaves, retailer of vinyl, CDs, DVDs, books and video games, said: “Building a business today isn’t about big budgets or traditional routes, it’s about backing yourself, finding the right platform, and being willing to put in the work. Selling on platforms like eBay has allowed me to learn as I go, using all the great tools at my disposal to help grow my business to a point of selling to 170 countries and employing more than 50 employees. It hasn’t always been easy, but it is absolutely possible for online small businesses to thrive in today’s economy provided they have the necessary resilience, determination and work ethic to succeed.”
Eve Williams, General Manager of eBay UK, said: “London’s sellers are not just adopting new tools, they’re embracing new technologies and remaining confident in the face of uncertainty. eBay is proud to support them as they turn passion-led ideas into real growth and are shaping the future of entrepreneurship.”
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