Fmcg suppliers looking to shift excess stock will soon be able to use a new eBay-style website to sell direct to buyers.

The website - www.fmcgsurplus.com - launches on 19 March. Sellers can upload details of the stock they are looking to sell, determine the length of an auction and set a starting price. Buyers will be able to browse and bid on the products. Once a deal is struck, payment is made direct to the seller and delivery is arranged. Both parties can then leave feedback.

Creating auctions and uploading images is free. The supplier is only charged a fee once the stock has been sold. Sellers of up to 13 pallets are charged 10% of the final selling fee. Between 14 and 24 pallets are charged 9%. Anything over 24 pallets is charged 7.5%. But there is no fee if the stock doesn’t sell.

“Imagine eBay but for the niche fmcg sector,” said spokesman Andy Ainley. “We are trying to professionalise the residual stock sector. This website is for manufacturers and brand owners only. Wholesalers are not allowed to resell stock.”

Ainley said he had worked hard to make the site as simple to use as possible. “Life is busy enough in fmcg and you don’t need any more hassle. With this website you can get an instant response on stock you want to move. It removes the time needed to ring around trying to find out who wants stock and how much they will pay.”

The website also allows unwanted stock to be shared with food charity FareShare. “It’s a great charity,” said Ainley. “They can take most unwanted stock from manufacturers but they also struggle to make contact with the right people at the right time.

“So if manufacturers have things they can’t sell, like short-life ready meals, they can register that with us and within 24 hours Fareshare can use it to feed people.”

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