Top 25 E-commerce Sites in the UK 2021
Given that US companies gained an advantage thanks to the home market size and early growth in the UK, UK e-commerce is dominated by US platforms that operate in many segments, especially Amazon and eBay, which have by far the largest e-commerce shares in Great Britain. As the UK market is technologically advanced, with high penetration and high solvency, the competition for online spending is fierce.
The wealth of the British people and their e-commerce habits make the UK one of the most sophisticated e-commerce markets in the world. They use both computers and mobile devices to shop online, acquiring a wide variety of goods and services online.
Some key UK grocery and grocery retailers such as Tesco have managed to make their presence felt by selling online, even though Asda, owned by US retailer Walmart, is also a close competitor in this digital segment. Some traditional retailers focusing on specific categories, such as Argos for electronics and home appliances or B&Q and Screwfix with tools and hardware, are still able to seize market share.
1. Amazon UK
Amazon began operating in 1994 in the US, initially as an online bookstore, and the online store was launched 4 years later in 1998. Amazon.co.uk, operated by Amazon EU S.à r.l., is an online store selling all over the UK. It offers products from various categories such as “Electronics and media”, “Toys, hobbies and DIY” and “Furniture and Devices”.
Web: https://www.amazon.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: Monthly traffic: 435.33M visits
2. eBay UK
Established in 1995, eBay has expanded its operations to more than 20 countries, including the UK. As a pioneer of e-commerce, eBay is an American online marketplace that enables people and businesses to sell directly through its online auction platform. People sell a variety of products there, from cars and vehicles to fashion, home, sports, as well as business and industrial products. You can also find one-of-a-kind items, antiques and handmade items.
Web: https://www.ebay.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: 312.93M visits
3. ASOS.com, Ltd.
This international online store generates net eCommerce sales mainly in the UK as well as the US and Australia. It was launched in 2000. The largest proportion of sales is achieved in the “Fashion” category. The offer of this store also includes products from the furniture and household appliances category.
asos.com, is operated by ASOS.com Ltd.
Web: https://www.asos.com/
Monthly traffic: 79.32M visits
4. Argos
Catalog retailer with over 800 stores in the UK and Ireland. Argos is a subsidiary of UK retailer Sainsbury’s. Its offer includes home and garden products, toys, sports equipment, electronics, clothing and many more. In addition to this traditional selling, it has become one of the UK e-commerce leaders.
Web: https://www.argos.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: 63.58M visits
5. Next
Through its internet store the retail chain Next sells products from over 400 brands. It offers various types of clothing, shoes, and household items. Next currently operates around 700 stationary stores, including about 500 in the UK. Also it sells products of about 400 brands through its online store.
Web: https://www.next.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: 42.16M visits
6. Tesco
The tesco.com online store is run by Tesco Stores Ltd. which sales are nationwide. Through its stationary stores and e-commerce platform, Tesco sells groceries, household and hygiene products, as well as clothing, as well as financial and telecommunications services. Net eCommerce sales are generated almost entirely in the UK. The internet shop was launched in 2000.
Web: https://www.tesco.com/
Monthly traffic: 38.44M visits
7. Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is one of the world’s leading vendors. This store offers mostly household items, apparel and luxury food products. The company has its stronghold in the UK and Ireland but it also sells its products online as well as through cooperation with the German online store Zalando.
Web: https://www.marksandspencer.com/
Monthly traffic: 34.96M visits
8. Asda
Asda is a leading seller owned by the US retail giant Walmart which operates stores in the UK. Except for its supermarkets, where Asda sells food and various other consumer products such as apparel and household items, Asda is also a financial services and mobile telephony provider, which are also available online via its e-commerce platform.
Web: https://www.asda.com/
Monthly traffic: 33.67M visits
9. Screwfix
Screwfix is a specialized retailer of tools, accessories and gear. Apart from traditional stores, the company has developed its online presence, where it offers and ships its products to the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe.
Web: https://www.screwfix.com/
Monthly traffic: 31.07M visits
10. B&Q
In over 300 stores in the UK and Ireland and on its online e-commerce platform, it offers a range of products including DIY tools and supplies, indoor and outdoor furniture and equipment, garden supplies and plants. B&Q is a British international chain of DIY and home improvement stores. B&Q is a subsidiary of Kingfisher plc.
Web: https://www.diy.com/
Monthly traffic: 29.49M visits
11. Currys PC World
Founded in April 2006, the brand offers a wide range of home and electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras, gaming products, laptops, refrigerators and so on. Recently, Currys PC World, merged with PC World by its owner, Dixons Carphone, is also providing an e-commerce platform for selling home appliances and telecommunications online. The online platform has been ranked among the UK’s top shopping sites for electronics.
Web: https://www.currys.co.uk
Monthly traffic: 29.12M visits
12. Boots
The net eCommerce sales of this store are generated almost entirely in the UK. boots.com, operated by Boots UK, Ltd as an online store, sells all over the UK. The boots.com product range that accounts for the largest share of eCommerce net sales is in the “Food & Personal Care” category. However, the offer also includes products from the “Toys, hobby and DIY” category.
Web: https://www.boots.com/
Monthly traffic: 24.95M visits
13. boohoo
The net eCommerce sales of this store are mainly generated in the UK. boohoo.com was launched as an online store in 2006 and is operated by boohoo.com UK Co., Ltd. The United States has the second largest share of the store’s net sales. It is mainly known for the “Fashion” category, which generates the largest share of a store’s sales. Its offer also includes products from the “Food and personal care” category.
Web: https://www.boohoo.com/
Monthly traffic: 22.50M visits
14. SportsDirect
It is a platform operated by SportsDirect.com Retail, Ltd as an online store that sells throughout the country. The generated eCommerce net sales are mainly in the UK. Other countries account for only a small part of net online sales, including Ireland. Sportsdirect.com generates most of its eCommerce net sales from categories such as Hobby & DIY, Toys. In addition, the offer includes products from the “Fashion” category.
Web: https://www.sportsdirect.com/
Monthly traffic: 19.90M visits
15. Very (Shop Direct Home Shopping, Ltd.)
The store platform Very is operated by Shop Direct Home Shopping, Ltd. This online store sells nationally. It was launched in 2009. Almost all of e-Commerce sales that take place are listed in the UK. The range of products offered by this versatile store includes products from many categories, including Fashion, Toys, DIY as well as electronics and media.
Web: https://www.very.co.uk
Monthly traffic: 15.10M visits
16. Toolstation Ltd,
toolstation.com was launched as an online store in 2003 and is operated by Toolstation Co., Ltd. It achieves the largest share of its eCommerce net sales in the Toys, Hobby & DIY category. In addition, the offer includes products from the “Fashion” category. Net eCommerce sales are generated almost entirely in the UK.
Web: https://www.toolstation.com/
Monthly traffic: 13.69M visits
17. Halfords, Ltd.
Net eCommerce sales are generated almost entirely in the UK. halfords.com as an online store is operated by Halfords, Ltd. It has the highest net sales for eCommerce in the “Toys, Hobby & DIY” category. The offer of this store also includes products from the “Electronics and Media” category.
Web: http://halfords.com/
Monthly traffic: 12.07M visits
18. Shein
An online store with nationally-focused sales operated by ZoeTop Business Co., Ltd. The online store was launched in 2008. With regards to the product range, shein.co.uk achieves the greatest part of its eCommerce net sales in the “Fashion” category. Its eCommerce net sales are generated almost entirely in the United Kingdom.
Web: https://www.shein.co.uk
Monthly traffic: 10.14M visits
19. Iceland Foods, Ltd.
iceland.co.uk was launched as an online store in 1999 and is operated by Iceland Foods, Ltd. It has the highest net sales for eCommerce in the “Food & Personal Care” category. In addition, the offer includes products from the “Electronics and Media” category. Net eCommerce sales are almost entirely UK generated and nationwide targeted.
Web: http://iceland.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: 9.95M visits
20. Prettylittlething.com, Ltd.
Prettylittlething.com as an online store was launched in 2012 and is operated by Prettylittlething.com, Ltd. Online e-commerce sales are generated almost entirely in the UK. Other countries have a small share in net e-commerce sales, incl. Sweden. The largest share in eCommerce net sales is achieved by the “Fashion” category.
Web: http://prettylittlething.com
Monthly traffic: 9.03M visits
21. Studio Retail, Ltd
The net eCommerce sales of this store are generated almost entirely in the UK. studio.co.uk is an online store operated by Studio Retail Co., Ltd whose sales are nationwide targeted. It is a comprehensive online store, offering products from various categories, such as “Fashion”, “Furniture and household appliances” and “Toys, hobbies and DIY”.
Web: http://studio.co.uk/
Monthly traffic: 8.41M visits
22. HHGL, Ltd
homebase.co.uk as an online store is operated by HHGL, Ltd.
It has the largest share of its eCommerce net sales in the Toys, Hobby & DIY category. In addition, the offer includes products from the “Furniture and household appliances” category. Net eCommerce sales are mainly generated in the UK. Other countries have only a small share of net e-commerce sales, incl. g. Ireland.
Web: http://homebase.co.uk
Monthly traffic: 8.10M visits
23. QVC
Net eCommerce sales are mainly generated in the UK. Other countries have only a small share of net e-commerce sales, incl. g. France.
qvcuk.com was launched as an online store in 1998 and is operated by QVC UK. It is a versatile online store when it comes to the range of products – it offers them in various categories such as “Fashion”, “Furniture and household appliances” and “Food and personal care”.
Web: http://qvcuk.com/
Monthly traffic: 6.64M visits
24. Debenhams
Net eCommerce sales of this store are mainly generated in the UK, other countries only have a small share of net eCommerce sales, incl. g. United States. debemhams.com was launched as an online store in 1999 and is operated by Debenhams Retail Co., Ltd. It is a comprehensive online store when it comes to product range – offering them in various categories such as “Fashion: Toys, Hobby & DIY, and Furniture & Household appliances.
Web: https://www.debenhams.com/
Monthly traffic: 5.62M visits
25. Littlewoods (Shop Direct Home Shopping, Ltd.)
littlewoods.com was launched as an online store in 2000 and is operated by Shop Direct Home Shopping, Ltd. It is a comprehensive online store offering products in various categories such as “Toys, Hobby & DIY”, “Fashion” and “Electronics and media “. Net sales of this eCommerce platform are generated almost entirely in the UK, selling nationwide.
Web: https://www.littlewoods.com/
Monthly traffic: 3.76M visits
Conclusion
Dominated by US e-commerce companies, the UK still has room for strong local businesses, both traditional brick-and-mortar stores. And also for sellers exclusively engaged in e-commerce. The United Kingdom, one of the most dynamic e-commerce countries in the world, is quite a large and very solvable online shopping market.