People who regularly sell things online and use eBay delivery services might be interested to hear that the auction website is preparing itself for the forthcoming 'retail tech revolution' with an initiative to add "top talent" to its workforce.

Despite ongoing challenges to the economy and the fact that UK unemployment figures currently stand at 2.65 million people, the company claimed the "war for talent is still well and truly on".

eBay announced its plans to recruit thousands of people around the world over the next three years as it accepted an award in London for being one of the UK's best workplaces.

The accolade came from the Great Place to Work Institute.

Aileen O'Toole, human resources director for eBay Europe, said the firm was "delighted" with the honour and will maintain its efforts to innovate and play an important part in the development of modern commerce.

She added: "We're not resting on our laurels as the war for talent heats up.

"As an enabler of commerce, eBay Inc is recruiting across many disciplines for individuals to provide better insight, innovation and specialist knowledge to empower retail businesses to succeed in this new multi-channel age."

According to recent research by Conlumino, commissioned by eBay, 'third wave' shopping technologies could provide additional sales of £235 million for the UK's ten largest retailers by 2014.

This could result in a £2.4 billion boost for the retail industry as a whole over the next two years.

Augmented reality - which allows consumers to overlay digital information onto real products and places, for instance online shoppers viewing 3D projections of virtual items - is expected to be one of the biggest growth areas.

The auction website is reportedly the biggest online shopping destination in the UK, with more than 17 million unique monthly visitors buying and selling new, unique and used items, many of which reach their new owners via eBay courier services.

Author:  Adrian Medland