The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a formal merger inquiry into eBay’s planned takeover of fashion resale platform Depop, with a Phase I decision due by 6 August 2026.
The regulator issued a notice under Section 96(2A) of the Enterprise Act 2002.
The deal was announced in February when eBay agreed to acquire Depop from Etsy in a $1.2bn all-cash transaction.
The CMA opened a case on 23 April 2026 and conducted a public comment period between 23 April and 8 May 2026 before formally launching the inquiry.
Subject to regulatory clearances, the acquisition was expected to complete in the second quarter of 2026.
If the deal goes through, Depop will retain its name, brand identity, platform and culture following the change of ownership.
Depop operates as a mobile-first consumer-to-consumer (C2C) fashion marketplace.
It generated approximately $1bn in annual gross merchandise sales (GMS) in 2025, with a year-on-year growth of nearly 60% in the US.
As of 31 December 2025, the platform counted seven million active buyers, almost 90% of whom are aged under 34 years, and more than three million active sellers.
Announcing the deal, eBay said the purchase would advance its C2C strategy by broadening engagement with younger shoppers and reinforcing its position in resale fashion.
As part of eBay, Depop could gain access to the group’s financial services, shipping capabilities and buyer protection programmes, as well as broader inventory exposure through cross-listing.
The CMA said it examines mergers where the legal thresholds are met and where a deal could harm consumers, businesses or the broader UK economy — whether through reduced choice, lower quality or higher prices.
The inquiry comes amid broader turbulence for eBay.
Last month, GameStop submitted an unsolicited, non-binding proposal to acquire the e-commerce company in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at around $55.5bn, at an offer price of $125 per share.
eBay’s board subsequently rejected the approach, describing it as “neither credible nor attractive”.
In a letter addressed to GameStop chief executive Ryan Cohen, eBay chairman Paul S Pressler confirmed the board had undertaken a thorough review with independent financial and legal advisers before declining the bid.
“UK regulator scrutinises eBay bid for fashion resale app Depop” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
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