eBay expects to double its mobile sales to $4bn in 2011

Company says PayPal is also experiencing strong mobile growth as it announces its Q1 financial results.

eBay says it expects to see the value of goods sold through its mobile apps and site to top $4 billion in 2011, while its PayPal service is expected to pass total payment volumes of $2 billion this year.

The predictions came as eBay announced its financial results for Q1 2011. President and CEO John Donahoe outlined the anticipated growth in the ensuing analyst call.

"eBay Mobile is also continuing to see very strong growth. Once again, while other retailers are formulating their mobile plans, consumers are actively buying and selling through the eBay Mobile app," he said. "We see strong accelerating momentum across multiple mobile devices in almost every geographic market around the world. We're on track to double eBay's mobile GMV this year to $4 billion in 2011.

GMV relates to 'gross merchandise volume' - the value of what's being sold, rather than actual revenues for the company. eBay's mobile GMV was $2 billion in 2010.

Donahoe also talked up the performance of PayPal's mobile business. "Mobile payments also has strong traction and momentum for PayPal. Merchants everywhere are recognizing the growing importance of mobile commerce. And they're turning to PayPal Mobile Express Checkout to give their consumers the ability to buy merchandise using their mobile phones," he told analysts.