Bank of America’s 16th Annual Holiday Pricing Survey has shown that Amazon and eBay are dominating this holiday season for different reasons. According to the bank, Amazon excels in price and product selection among major retailers, while eBay offers the best value for budget-conscious shoppers.
The survey, conducted post-Cyber Monday, analyzed prices, shipping speeds, and product availability across major online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay. BofA reports that Amazon had the lowest average prices among big box retailers, driven by promotions. However, eBay outperformed overall with the lowest average prices, despite variations in delivery times and seller quality.
For instance, the total basket price for 27 items available across all major retailers was $4,324 on Amazon, compared to $4,104 on eBay. eBay topped the list for product availability, with all 50 items in the survey available, followed by Amazon at 47. Walmart and Target lagged behind at 42 and 29 items, respectively.
BofA notes that Amazon is well-positioned on pricing and selection this holiday season, with Prime members benefiting from competitive prices on a majority of items. While Walmart narrowly edged out Amazon in shipping speed, Amazon leads in free same-day delivery, especially in electronics.
The survey emphasizes that pricing and selection are crucial factors for online shoppers. BofA concludes that Amazon offers a strong blend and is poised for holiday share gains.