EBay CEO predicts auctions will comprise just 30 percent of marketplace listings by 2011

EBay CEO: Auctions may be 30 pct of 2011 listings

SAN JOSE, Calif. — EBay Inc. is still known by many consumers primarily as an online auction site operator, even though auctions now make up less than half of all listings on the site. And that figure could drop to 30 percent by 2011, eBay CEO John Donahoe said Thursday.

Donahoe made the prediction at eBay’s annual shareholder meeting at the company’s headquarters in San Jose.

Donahoe said auctions are still a good way to sell some items, like those that are hard to price. But buyers and sellers are moving increasingly toward fixed-price “Buy It Now” items.

Several years ago, auctions made up about 70 percent of the listings on eBay, but in the most recent quarter they accounted for about 45 percent, Donahoe said.