eBay’s new Fashion Outlet.

In tough times, the ongoing debate of discounting or not continues to rattle the fashion industry as changes in spending patterns, especially among youth culture, are re-defining the state of the industry. On the heels of a challenging back-to-school season, eBay tackles the issue with the launch of their enormous, virtual Fashion Outlet featuring brands such as Seven for All Mankind (which always seems to end up in Costco’s), Timberland, Emporio Armani, Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, Fila, BCBG, Diesel, and Custo Barcelona among the 200 brands and designers.

These off-sale prices for such brands are quickly becoming a huge portion of their overall revenue, and eBay’s beholden to tap into the growing marketplace of online shoppers looking for a deal. The “Buy It Now” feature has price points comparable to brick and mortar outlets, at 20-65% off retail prices and allows shopper direct-from-brand purchasing power.

Fashion Outlet is the latest in eBay’s offerings including eBay fashion Vault, their events listings, and iPhone app.