Rarewaves 获 eBay 终身成就奖，从一张七寸唱片做到 5 亿英镑

It was a huge pleasure to be at the eBay for Business awards, and amazing to see Brad Aspess and the team from Rarewaves award the Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of the night. Brad started on eBay when he’d turned 50, so it’s never to late to build a multi-million business!

Rarewaves, a british business that began by selling a single seven-inch Genesis record has gone on to generate £500 million in sales and operate in more than 190 markets and that’s what earned them the Lifetime Achievement Award at eBay UK’s 2026 Top Seller Awards. 

This year’s nine winners highlight the resilience of British small businesses, using new technology and global marketplaces to overcome barriers to growth and reach customers in new ways, from AI-powered selling to live shopping and international exports.

It was amazing to see the breadth and depth of the businesses recognised on the night, and a mention has to go to the finalists as well as the award winners – having run for best part of a decade, there are still so many fantastic eBay success stories to be told and every business in the room were deserving of their place at the event.

Rarewaves

London-based Rarewaves has been named this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, having turned a sale of a single seven-inch vinyl in 2002 into a global retail business, with 85% of its orders now shipped internationally.

Now in their tenth year, the awards demonstrate eBay’s commitment to recognising the entrepreneurs and charities shaping British retail through recommerce, international trade and new technology. Winners include West Midlands-based BunPops, run by Ella 23 and Jack 26, which now generates 99% of its sales through livestreaming; and family-run D2P Autoparts, which sells automotive parts to customers in more than 150 countries.

Winners prizes include £10,000, bespoke business support, ads credit, and the opportunity to be featured in eBay’s Seller Stories video series, alongside an invitation to celebrate their success at an exclusive eBay event in London. 

The 2026 eBay Top Seller Award Winners

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Rarewaves, London – Online retailer selling vinyl records, books, CDs, collectables and much more.
• eBay Live Star Award: BunPops, West Midlands – One of the UK’s fastest growing retailers of collectibles, toys and plush, with livestreams now driving 99% of sales. 
• eBay AI Expert Seller Award, Icor Technology LTD, West Midlands – Online retailer of budget-friendly computers and IT hardware
• eBay Community Contribution Award, Scottish Preloved, North Lanarkshire – Online shop specialising in quality, affordable pre-loved fashion.
• eBay Rising Star Award, Sullyzvintage – Online retailer specialising in pre-loved vintage clothing
• eBay Social Seller of the Year, The Cirkel – Fashion resale business using social media to grow its community and sell sustainable womenswear.
• eBay Business Growth Award, D2P Autoparts – Family-run online retailer supplying automotive parts to customers in over 150 countries.
• eBay Social Impact Award, British Red Cross – eBay shop for the British Red Cross raising funds to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, disasters and conflicts.
• eBay Trailblazer Award, Florence Nightingale Hospice – eBay shop for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity raising vital funds to support local hospice care.

This year’s winners show the strength of British entrepreneurship, with businesses from all corners of  the UK embracing innovation, reaching global markets and driving growth. From Rarewaves and D2P Autoparts selling to customers around the world to Bunpops building a thriving business and loyal community through livestream shopping, their achievements are helping shape the future of British retail.

We’re proud to celebrate their success and will continue backing that ambition with the tools, technology and support to help more sellers reach new customers, grow their businesses and go even further.

– Eve Williams, Vice President and General Manager, eBay UK

When we sold our first vinyl record on eBay more than 20 years ago, we never imagined it would grow into a global business. 

We’re proof that a passion or side hustle can become something extraordinary, and winning this award is fantastic recognition of how far we’ve come.

– Brad Aspess, Founder, Rarewaves

Helping British businesses grow

The awards form part of eBay’s wider commitment to helping UK entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses, providing the tools and technology to reach new customers, save time and find new ways to sell.

This includes:

• eBay International Shipping (eIS): Helping UK businesses reach more than 136 million buyers across over 195 countries and territories, with eBay managing international shipping, customs and returns. Rarewaves’ success shows the scale of the opportunity, with 85% of its orders now shipped internationally.
• AI Activate: A £3 million programme providing entrepreneurs with free access to advanced AI tools and tailored training. Already, 75% of participating sellers surveyed say they have saved time on weekly tasks, while 60% say AI tools have helped them take on more customers or orders.
• eBay Live: Bringing shopping and entertainment together, enabling sellers to showcase products, engage directly with customers and build online communities. This year’s winner Bunpops demonstrates its potential, with livestreaming now accounting for 99% of sales.