Trade Me to host overseas retailers

Trade Me is about to become even more crowded with new goods over of its traditional supply of secondhand bargains, with the signing of a deal with global eCommerce platform provider ChannelAdvisor.

The deal will see retailers in Australia and across the globe listing goods on Trade Me by Christmas this year, according to a release from the site.

Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald says the agreement will ‘provide an opportunity for brands working with ChannelAdvisor to sell their products to Trade Me members with a minimum of hassle’.

"When we became a listed company back in December 2011, we talked about the importance of growing and diversifying the range of new goods available on Trade Me,” Mcdonald says in the release.

"ChannelAdvisor is a leader in helping brands boost their presence across various eCommerce channels, and it’s great Trade Me will soon be an option for these sellers.”

What do you think - is Trade Me veering too far from its bargain-basement roots, or can having more choice only improve the site’s appeal? Post your comments below.