Over the past two decades, the number of businesses selling products online has surged dramatically, revolutionising the global retail landscape. The early 2000s marked the infancy of e-commerce, with platforms like Amazon and eBay pioneering online marketplaces. In 2000, global e-commerce sales were estimated at just over $27 billion, with a relatively small number of companies exploring this emerging space.
By the mid-2010s, the advent of faster internet speeds, smartphones, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram expanded the reach of online shopping. Traditional retailers began establishing online stores alongside digital-first companies like Shopify, which empowered small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to enter the e-commerce market. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift as lockdowns forced brick-and-mortar stores to move online, leading to an unprecedented rise in e-commerce activity.
In 2023, the global e-commerce market is valued at over £6 trillion, with millions of businesses selling products online. Large retailers, small enterprises, and even individual entrepreneurs can now reach global audiences with ease. The rise of marketplaces like Amazon, Alibaba, and Etsy, along with the development of e-commerce tools, has democratised access to online selling.
Looking ahead, the number of online businesses is expected to continue growing as digital infrastructure improves and consumer preferences shift further toward online shopping. The evolution of online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer models will likely keep expanding opportunities for businesses to thrive in the digital space.