A new website is promising independent retailers a new “reverse shopping” route to the online market without setting up ecommerce infrastructure of their own.

A new website is promising independent retailers a new “reverse shopping” route to the online market without setting up ecommerce infrastructure of their own.

Unlike traditional ecommerce sites, Biduhappy.com customers post what they are looking for and participating retailers compete for the potential customer’s business.

Retailers can tailor their prices and deals in response to competing bids. Biduhappy will take a commission of 5% to 7%.

The site is due to launch in a private beta stage in Scotland on September 1 and intends to roll out nationally later this year, with product categories including electricals, bicycles and watches.

The site, founded by Edinburgh-based entrepreneur Murray Dundas, is presently funded by angel investors. It has brought in Hibernian FC director Bruce Langham as chairman and recently hired Steve Jones, a former executive with business publishers Incisive Media, as its chief executive. It expects to have a staff of up to 20.

Topics