As eBay gears up to release its first quarter earnings, London-based Retail Analyst Rahul Sharma, explains things are getting harder for the online retailer, as it faces fierce competition from the likes of Amazon and Alibaba. 

He explains eBay is taking on new initiatives to try and stay ahead of the game with for example "eBay NOW" - which offers a 24-hour delivery service - and by improving its search function capability. But he warns that may not be enough as its rivals are moving just as fast; Amazon being one company, for example, "that never sits still". 

Rahul thinks the internet is getting "a little crowded”. He says that when eBay started out it had a "unique format" but now most retailers offer “very good” delivery services on their websites.

He also points out that PayPal faces competition from new entrants, and with the likes of 'Google Wallet', and Visa trying to bring out its own payment platform, the question is where this will leave PayPal in the future.