Ebay combined with bricks and mortar stores in San Francisco have just launched a beta called “eBay Now” in San Francisco, described here by Techcrunch.  Its a clear example of eBay trying to support businesses solve challenges with the blurring of online and offline.  It will be interesting to see how popular it is for buyers and sellers alike.  Same day delivery helps people find products in existing local stores and then gets it delivered to them fast.  Personally I quite like that eBay works with existing businesses – it does not compete.  OK, maybe eBay sort of competes with those businesses not using eBay as one of their sales channels…  I am sure eBay would be completely happy to support those other businesses too!  😉

Disclaimer: I work for eBay.  Bias is likely!