Ecommerce Business Examples That Work and Sell In 2025

Gone are the days of discussion that involved the transition from traditional retail stores to online stores, currently online stores are going brick-and-mortar. Popular e commerce examples include Amazon’s Amazon Go and Alibaba’s Freshippo.  Have you ever wondered if this is absurd? It is because the primary objective of launching an online store was to expand reach to a broader audience, which would have been unattainable through a physical storefront.

Then why did brands go back to operating brick-and-mortar stores again?  Primarily, it was to enhance customers’ convenience in shopping using omnichannel strategy. As a result of implementing this, fulfillment time, product return time, and purchasing time have improved. Overall, omnichannel is just another term for simplifying the buying process.

This is the current trend in ecommerce, but the future of the shopping experience is unified commerce, which is an evolution of the omnichannel strategy. Ecommerce business examples demonstrate how this shift highlights the dynamic nature of the ecommerce industry, which is tech-driven.

In this blog, we will explore the examples of ecommerce giants that have adopted the latest trends in ecommerce and are driving the market with their large-scale operations and strategies. 

Amazon dominates the US ecommerce market with a 38.7% share. Globally, ecommerce revenues are expected to approach $8 trillion by 2027. While the top ecommerce players mentioned in the blog will contribute to the majority of the share, other players also contribute and a total of 41% of global retail sales are projected to be captured by 2027.

Key Takeaways From E Commerce Examples

• Top players in the industry prioritize personalized experiences, strategic events and  trust-building to enhance customer engagement.

• Omnichannel strategy offers a seamless experience across all touchpoints including physical store, mobile application, and web application.

• E commerce examples include businesses that compete with strategic pricing, auctions, and discounts to increase repeat purchases and reduce churn rates.

• To retain users, revenue streams can be diversified by integrating cloud computing, fintech, and digital content.

• The ultimate secret to success is continuous improvements in technology, and last mile delivery to retain existing customers and attract new customers.

What is Ecommerce?

Ecommerce is also known as internet commerce, electronic commerce, or electronic business. 

It is the buying or selling of goods and services electronically via the internet. It refers to conducting business activities over the World Wide Web (www).

Under the umbrella term “Ecommerce”, there are various models, each catering to different target groups. These include Business-to-Consumer (B2C), Business-to-Business (B2B), Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C), and Consumer-to-Business (C2B).

Overall, irrespective of the model, they all represent two aspects of the shopping experience, i.e., convenience and availability. 

Ecommerce examples illustrate how sales are being driven by these two factors, with projections for sales exceeding $9.5 trillion by 2030.

Top 7 Successful Ecommerce Business Examples

1. Amazon

One of the most prominent e commerce examples, demonstrating how a well-executed strategy can lead to industry dominance.

Founded: 1994 

Marketing Strategy: A customer-centric approach is taken where vast product selection, competitive pricing, and convenience are focused. Additionally, personalized product recommendations, customer reviews, and loyalty programs were introduced.

Omnichannel Strategy: Amazon has integrated its physical store and devices with its online store to create a unified brand experience that enhances convenience. Customer satisfaction has increased.

Pricing Strategy: Adopted dynamic pricing, but prices are adjusted based on market competition, demand, and other related factors affecting price shifts.

 Success Metrics: Dominates global e-commerce with significant market share, high customer retention rates, and substantial revenue growth.​

Amazon has succeeded in becoming the world’s largest e-commerce platform, dominating online retail with a vast product selection, fast delivery, innovative technology, and strong customer loyalty. In 2024, Amazon’s net sales increased by 11% year-over-year.

2. Alibaba

One of the top ecommerce business examples, showcasing how a strong ecosystem and strategic innovations drive success.

Founded: 1999

Marketing Strategy: Alibaba focuses on connecting businesses and consumers through platforms like Taobao and Tmall, emphasizing trust and a wide product range. It leverages major events like Singles’ Day for promotions.​

Omnichannel Strategy: Integrates online marketplaces with offline retail through initiatives like “New Retail,” which blends digital and physical shopping experiences.​

Pricing Strategy: Offers a platform for various sellers, leading to competitive pricing and a range of options for consumers.​

Success Metrics: Achieved record-breaking sales during events like Singles’ Day and expanded its ecosystem to include cloud computing and digital entertainment.​

​Alibaba has established itself as a leading ecommerce platform, particularly dominating the Chinese market with a vast product selection, efficient logistics, and a strong emphasis on technological innovation. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, Alibaba reported an annual revenue of RMB 941.17 billion, reflecting an 8.34% year-over-year growth.

3. eBay

One among the most notable e commerce examples, showcasing how an online marketplace can thrive by focusing on uniqueness and community engagement.

Founded: 1995 by Pierre Omidyar in the United States.​

Marketing Strategy: Positions itself as a global online marketplace for unique and hard-to-find items, emphasizing community and trust among buyers and sellers.​

Omnichannel Strategy: Primarily operates online without a significant physical presence but integrates various digital channels to enhance user experience.​

Pricing Strategy: Features both auction-style and fixed-price listings, allowing market dynamics to influence pricing.​

Success Metrics: Maintains a vast global user base and has facilitated billions of transactions worldwide.​

​eBay has solidified its position as a leading global ecommerce platform by offering a diverse marketplace for buyers and sellers, emphasizing unique and hard-to-find items. In 2024, eBay’s global revenue totaled $10.3 billion, marking a 1.69% year-over-year increase.

4. Walmart

One of the strongest ecommerce business examples, successfully blending its vast physical store network with a powerful online presence.

Founded: 1962

Marketing Strategy: Emphasizes everyday low prices and a wide product assortment, leveraging its extensive physical store network to support its online presence.

Omnichannel Strategy: Integrates online shopping with physical stores through services like in-store pickup, grocery delivery, and mobile apps. Investments in technologies like geo-fencing and wish lists enhance the customer experience.

Pricing Strategy: Focuses on cost leadership, offering consistently low prices across all channels.​

Success Metrics: Achieved significant growth in ecommerce sales, becoming a formidable competitor to Amazon.

Walmart has significantly expanded its ecommerce presence, becoming a formidable competitor in the online retail market. In the fiscal year ending January 2024, Walmart’s online revenue reached $100.1 billion, marking a 21.9% year-over-year increase.

5. JD.com

One of the most prominent e commerce examples, showcasing how a strong logistics network and product authenticity drive success.

Founded: 1998

Marketing Strategy: Highlights authentic products and a robust logistics network, ensuring fast and reliable delivery.​

Omnichannel Strategy: Expanding into new sectors like food delivery to diversify services and enhance customer engagement.

Pricing Strategy: Offers competitive pricing with frequent promotions and discounts to attract consumers.​

Success Metrics: Established one of China’s largest ecommerce platforms with a vast customer base and a comprehensive logistics system.​

JD.com has established itself as a leading ecommerce platform in China, focusing on authentic products, efficient logistics, and superior customer service. In 2024, JD.com reported a total revenue of ¥1.16 trillion, marking a 6.84% year-over-year growth.

6. Zalando

One of the top ecommerce business examples, demonstrating how a specialized focus on fashion and lifestyle can lead to market dominance.

Founded: 2008

Marketing Strategy: Focuses on fashion and lifestyle, offering a wide range of brands and personalized shopping experiences.​

Omnichannel Strategy: Integrates online shopping with physical retail through initiatives like “Connected Retail,” allowing brick-and-mortar stores to sell via the Zalando platform.​

Pricing Strategy: Utilizes competitive pricing with regular sales, discounts, and a focus on free shipping and returns to enhance customer satisfaction.​

Success Metrics: Achieved significant growth across European markets, becoming a leading online fashion retailer in the region.​

Zalando has reinforced its position as a leading European online fashion and lifestyle retailer by offering a diverse range of products and personalized shopping experiences. In 2024, the company achieved a gross merchandise volume (GMV) of €15.3 billion, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year growth.

7. Rakuten

One of the most innovative e commerce examples, demonstrating how a membership-driven ecosystem and diversified digital services can drive long-term customer loyalty.

Founded: 1997

Marketing Strategy: It focuses on a membership-driven ecosystem, where customers earn Rakuten Super Points for purchases, creating strong customer loyalty. It also leverages strategic sponsorships and digital marketing to expand its global presence.

Omnichannel Strategy: Integrates online shopping with financial services, digital content, and mobile communications. It also owns a marketplace model that allows small and medium-sized businesses to sell through its platform, blending ecommerce with brick-and-mortar collaborations.

Pricing Strategy: Follows a competitive pricing strategy with discounts, cash-back offers, and the Rakuten Super Points reward system to encourage repeat purchases.

Success Metrics: It has grown into Japan’s leading ecommerce platform with expansion into international markets, including the US and Europe. Its ecosystem spans e-commerce, fintech, and streaming services.

Rakuten has solidified its position as a leading global ecommerce platform by offering a membership-driven ecosystem that integrates online shopping with financial services, digital content, and mobile communications. In 2024, Rakuten reported consolidated revenue of ¥2.1 trillion, marking a 14.2% year-over-year increase.

How can these e commerce examples help entrepreneurs build successful e commerce businesses?

1. Learning from Successful Business Models

The ecommerce industry leaders have experience in failure before succeeding, these lessons and the right strategies devised by them can be adapted to your ecommerce business for success.

2. Identifying Effective Marketing Strategies

Even the leading e commerce business examples in the industry like Amazon, and Alibaba need marketing to widen their market coverage. The marketing strategies used by them have proven successful, and the same can be adapted to your business considering your goals.

3. Understanding Omnichannel Strategies

An integrated shopping experience across all business touchpoints is crucial for customer convenience. Successful omnichannel strategies can be learned and implemented.

4. Avoiding Common Mistakes

All the failed strategies and market moves can be recognized, and a structure and business plan can be devised to avoid these mistakes to ensure resources are not wasted. E commerce examples demonstrate this approach.

The least ecommerce platform in terms of revenue is eBay, While this may sound very low for an ecommerce giant, it is still 10 times more than platforms operating on a smaller scale. E commerce examples illustrate that the right move (strategy) at the right time (target audience) will help build a massive ecommerce business. 

The growth potential is truly unlimited for a business committed to continuous improvements that resonate with the target audience.

When there is immense potential, why wait to initiate? Request a free demo from Webnexs and understand our potential to bring your ecommerce platform to life.

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Setting an E Commerce Example: Step by Step Guide on How to Start an Ecommerce Business

Step 1: Conduct Market Research 

• Identify existing players
• Conduct a gap analysis 
• Derive opportunities 

Step 2: Choose Your Niche

• Identify consumer preference 
• Conduct resource assessment 
• Study the viability of success 

Step 3: Choose a Business Model

• B2C (Direct to customers)
• B2B (Selling to businesses)
• Dropshipping (No inventory)
• White Label/Private Label (Custom branding)

Step 4: Build Your E-Commerce Website

• White label solution provider 
• SaaS
• Custom-built

Step 5: Implement Marketing Strategies

• SEO Optimization
• Social Media Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Paid Ads

Step 6: Launch and Optimize

• Test website functionality
• Run a soft launch for feedback
• Track analytics and optimize sales

Top 3 Advantages of Launching an Ecommerce Business

1. Quicker Buying Process

Ecommerce has sped up the complete buying process for the end customers. Customers do not need to visit any physical outlet for shopping and can buy products from the comfort of their homes. It saves time and accomplishes faster transactions.

2. Eliminates Operating Cost

It has decreased the general operating cost of businesses by eliminating the need for establishments to open physical outlets. The amount of money involved in having a physical outlet is huge – rent, utilities, various bills, staff salaries, etc. Ecommerce business examples show how ecommerce saves all these expenses and operates all business activities online.

3. Personalized Shopping Experience

Thanks to AI, companies can now offer their customers an enhanced experience at every stage of the online shopping process. Along with machine learning, ecommerce examples show how online shopping brands evaluate personal data like buying habits and behaviors of customers to provide them with a personalized shopping experience.

Running an online store can cost up to 90% less than a physical store. Ecommerce businesses save an average of 20% on operational costs compared to traditional retail.

Have an ecommerce business idea? Discuss with an expert today!

Key Factors Behind Successful Ecommerce Businesses

1. User-Friendly Website and Mobile Experience

An Intuitive UI/UX design, along with responsiveness and navigability, makes a website user-friendly. The same, when optimized for mobiles, further increases website traffic across devices.

2. Strong Branding and Unique Value Proposition

As part of a differentiation strategy, a compelling brand identity along with differentiation in pricing, product portfolio, and other customer-related aspects will help gain recognition in the fiercely competitive market.

3. Robust Product Selection and Quality

Purchase repeats are the ultimate goal; to achieve this, high-quality and in-demand products need to be offered to gain credibility. By focusing on niche segments, greater profitability can be attained, and knowledge of ecommerce examples will help clarify the market scenario.

4. Efficient Order Fulfillment and Logistics

Supply chain management and partnerships with logistics service providers will ensure that the last mile delivery is timely and proper. There are ecommerce business examples that operate in this method. The most optimal route is chosen by closely networking with fulfillment partners to ensure customer satisfaction.

5. Customer-Centric Approach

The entire process revolves around the customer, making them the center of all the strategies. This ensures that at each touchpoint, the customers are served well. Ecommerce examples indicate that they are a tool for further marketing by creating a loyal customer base.

Approximately 80-90% fail within the first 3 years, due to lack of market need and financial resources. This highlights the need for considering all factors and conducting a feasibility study before investing in the business. 

Ensure to consider all these factors while launching your ecommerce platform. Your ecommerce business starts with a user-friendly website, indicating that you require a platform provider. Before even initiating marketing campaigns, visitors are going to interact with your platform, requiring you to launch one that is appealing and user-friendly.

A white-label solution can provide a quicker market launch. Request free consultation from our experts to know more about the unique advantages of white-label solutions.

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Webnexs as Your Platform Provider

You can become a name among these leaders and set an example of e commerce if you make the move now! Every successful ecommerce giant in the industry made their first move with a great vision, and here they are, living their vision. Now that you are aware of the successful nature of an ecommerce business, build your platform with a reliable white label provider. 

Time as a resource is irreversible, so don’t waste time developing your ecommerce platform. Webnexs off-the-shelf white-label solution will enable you to test and market your business soon. Join the ecommerce race and make your mark with Webnexs.

Begin with a free demo!

Wrapping up

The e commerce examples that we have covered demonstrate that the strategies they have followed for success have not failed them, but have earned them a major market share in the industry. The awareness of your target audience and the industry as a whole will give a picture of the current state, based on which viable opportunities can be grabbed.

A revenue stream’s success depends on practical feasibility considering all aspects. One that fits the demand category in the market has greater potential to lure customers away. But luring them away from competitors requires more than just existence. Ecommerce business examples show that a differentiation in the business aspects that customers can visibly notice will help earn a loyal user base over time.

The final thought is to understand the success strategies and adapt them to suit your niche area, the nature of your offerings, and your target audience.

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