How Many Ecommerce Sites Are There in the World?
According to the latest data from the end of Q2 2024, there are approximately 30,722,000 ecommerce sites worldwide. This marks a 25% increase from 24,000,000 in 2022 and an 11% increase from 27,000,000 in 2023.
From 2022 to 2024, the number of ecommerce sites grew by 25%, rising from 24M to 30.7M. Compared to 2023's 27M, this represents an 11% increase. As of the end of Q2 2024, there are approximately 30.7M ecommerce sites worldwide.
To understand this growth, let's take a look at the increase in ecommerce sites since 2000.
Growth Timeline of Ecommerce Sites Since 2000
Here is a timeline illustrating the growth of ecommerce sites since 2000:
The 15 Biggest Ecommerce Sites
Here is an in-depth view of the 15 largest ecommerce sites, detailing what they sell, when they started, who founded them, where they were founded, and their peak sales year.
1. Amazon
Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 in Seattle, Washington, has grown to become the largest ecommerce site in the world. It sells a wide range of products including books, electronics, apparel, groceries, and even cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The company has revolutionized online shopping with innovations like one-click purchasing, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. Amazon reached its highest sales in 2022, with a staggering revenue of $469.8 billion, driven by its diverse product offerings and global reach.
2. Alibaba
Founded by Jack Ma in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba is a giant in the ecommerce world, specializing in wholesale products, consumer electronics, apparel, and more. It operates several platforms, including Taobao, Tmall, and Alibaba.com, catering to both B2B and B2C markets.
"Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine." – Jack Ma
Alibaba has played a crucial role in the growth of China's ecommerce sector and has expanded its influence globally. The company saw its peak sales year in 2021, with a revenue of $109.5 billion, reflecting its dominant position in the market.
3. eBay
eBay, established by Pierre Omidyar in 1995 in San Jose, California, is a pioneer in online auctions and consumer-to-consumer sales. It allows individuals and businesses to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and services worldwide. eBay's platform includes features like bidding, Buy It Now options, and seller ratings, which have made it a trusted marketplace. The company achieved its highest revenue in 2021, totaling $10.4 billion, as it continues to innovate and expand its services.
4. Walmart
Walmart, originally founded by Sam Walton in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, and establishing its online presence in 2000, is a retail giant that sells general merchandise, groceries, electronics, and more.
Known for its "Everyday Low Prices" strategy, Walmart has successfully integrated its brick-and-mortar stores with its online platform, offering services like curbside pickup and home delivery. The company recorded its highest online sales in 2022, with a revenue of $73.2 billion, showcasing its ability to adapt to the digital age.
Did you know? Walmart is the largest private employer in the world, with over 2.2 million employees globally.
5. JD.com
JD.com, founded by Liu Qiangdong in 1998 in Beijing, China, is one of the largest ecommerce companies in China. It offers a wide range of products, including electronics, home appliances, and general merchandise. JD.com is known for its efficient logistics network, which ensures fast delivery and high customer satisfaction.
The company reached its peak sales in 2021, with a revenue of $149.3 billion, driven by its extensive product offerings and strong market presence.
6. Shopify
Shopify, an ecommerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems, was founded in 2006 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake in Ottawa, Canada. Shopify provides entrepreneurs and businesses with the tools to create and manage their own online stores. Its platform includes features like customizable templates, payment processing, and inventory management.
The company saw its highest revenue in 2021, totaling $4.6 billion, as more businesses turned to ecommerce solutions. Shopify holds a significant market share in the ecommerce platform business, accounting for approximately 23% of the market in the United States, making it one of the leading choices for online retailers.
7. Rakuten
Rakuten, established by Hiroshi Mikitani in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan, is a major player in the ecommerce market, selling electronics, apparel, and various consumer goods. Rakuten operates a marketplace model, allowing third-party sellers to offer their products on its platform.
The company has expanded its services to include financial technology, digital content, and communications. Rakuten achieved its highest sales in 2021, with a revenue of $15.4 billion, reflecting its diverse business portfolio.
8. Zalando
Founded by Robert Gentz and David Schneider in 2008 in Berlin, Germany, Zalando specializes in fashion and lifestyle products. It offers a wide range of clothing, shoes, and accessories from various brands, catering to a broad audience. Zalando is known for its user-friendly platform, free shipping, and easy returns, which have contributed to its popularity.
Did you know? Zalando started as a shoe retailer before expanding into a full-fledged fashion and lifestyle platform.
The company reached its peak sales in 2021, with a revenue of $12.9 billion, driven by its strong market presence in Europe.
9. MercadoLibre
MercadoLibre, founded by Marcos Galperin in 1999 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the leading ecommerce platform in Latin America. It offers consumer electronics, apparel, and various consumer goods, along with services like online payments and classifieds. MercadoLibre has played a significant role in the growth of ecommerce in the region, providing a reliable platform for buyers and sellers. The company saw its highest revenue in 2021, totaling $7.1 billion, as it continues to expand its offerings and reach.
10. Flipkart
Flipkart, established by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in 2007 in Bengaluru, India, is one of the largest ecommerce companies in India.
It sells electronics, fashion, and various consumer goods, and has a strong presence in the Indian market. Flipkart is known for its Big Billion Days sale, which attracts millions of customers each year. The company achieved its peak sales in 2021, with a revenue of $9.2 billion, reflecting its dominant position in the Indian ecommerce sector.
11. Etsy
Etsy, founded in 2005 by Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik in Brooklyn, New York, focuses on handmade, vintage items, and craft supplies. It provides a platform for artisans and small business owners to sell their unique products to a global audience.
As of 2021, Etsy hosts over 7.5 million active sellers, showcasing the platform's vast and diverse marketplace.
Etsy is known for its community-driven approach and commitment to sustainability. The company reached its highest revenue in 2021, totaling $2.3 billion, as more consumers sought out unique and personalized products.
12. Wayfair
Wayfair, established by Niraj Shah and Steve Conine in 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in home goods and furniture. It offers a vast selection of products, including furniture, décor, and home improvement items. Wayfair is known for its user-friendly website, fast shipping, and excellent customer service. The company saw its peak sales in 2021, with a revenue of $14.1 billion, driven by the increasing demand for home furnishings.
13. ASOS
ASOS, founded by Nick Robertson and Quentin Griffiths in 2000 in London, United Kingdom, sells fashion and beauty products.
It offers a wide range of clothing, shoes, accessories, and beauty items, catering to a young and fashion-forward audience. ASOS is known for its trendsetting styles, affordable prices, and fast delivery. The company achieved its highest revenue in 2021, totaling $5.4 billion, as it continued to expand its global reach.
14. Taobao
Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer retail platform for a wide range of products, was founded by Alibaba Group in 2003 in Hangzhou, China. It allows individuals and small businesses to sell their products directly to consumers.
Taobao is known for its vast selection of products, competitive prices, and user-friendly interface. The company reached its peak sales in 2021, with a gross merchandise volume of $490 billion, making it one of the largest ecommerce platforms in the world.
15. Target
Target, originally founded by George Dayton in 1902 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and establishing its online presence in 1999, sells general merchandise, groceries, electronics, and more. Known for its stylish yet affordable products, Target has successfully integrated its physical stores with its online platform, offering services like same-day delivery and curbside pickup. The company recorded its highest online sales in 2021, with a revenue of $104.6 billion, showcasing its ability to adapt to the changing retail landscape.
How Many Ecommerce Stores Are There in the US?
As of 2024, there are approximately 2,553,000 ecommerce stores operating in the United States. This number includes a wide range of online businesses, from small independent shops to large retail giants.
What is the Most Used Ecommerce Platform?
The most used ecommerce platform as of 2024 is Shopify. Shopify has become the go-to solution for many online retailers due to its ease of use, extensive features, and strong support for SEO keywords conversion rate optimization. The platform's integration with social media channels further enhances its appeal, making it a favorite among businesses looking to maximize their online shopping presence.
Shopify's dominance in the ecommerce market is attributed to its comprehensive suite of tools that cater to both small and large businesses. Its platform is designed to improve ecommerce conversion rates by optimizing SEO keywords and integrating seamlessly with social media platforms. This makes it easier for businesses to reach their target audience and drive more traffic to their online stores.
The importance of social media in ecommerce cannot be overstated. Shopify's robust social media integration allows businesses to leverage platforms like Facebook and Instagram to boost their online shopping presence. This integration not only helps in driving traffic but also in converting visitors into customers, thereby improving the overall ecommerce conversion rate.
In the world of ecommerce, having a platform that supports strong SEO practices is crucial. Shopify excels in this area by providing tools that help businesses optimize their product listings and content for search engines. This ensures that online stores rank higher in search results, attracting more organic traffic and increasing the chances of conversion.
If you want to know more about how the platforms do when it comes to SEO, make sure to check out the top 15 ecommerce platforms for SEO
Overall, Shopify's combination of user-friendly features, strong SEO support, and social media integration makes it the most used ecommerce platform in 2024. Its ability to cater to a wide range of businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, further solidifies its position as the leading choice for online shopping.
What Country Has the Most Ecommerce Sites?
As of 2024, the United States has the most ecommerce sites in the world. With approximately 2,553,000 online stores, the U.S. leads the global ecommerce market. This number includes a diverse range of businesses, from small independent shops to large retail giants, reflecting the country's robust and dynamic ecommerce ecosystem.
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