Web-Only Niche E-Retailers Dominate the Mid-Tier E-Commerce Market in the U.S. and Canada

CHICAGO, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In their efforts to survive in an increasingly competitive online retailing landscape, many North American mid-tier web merchants are prioritizing profits and long-term stability over spectacular web sales growth, according to Internet Retailer's just-released data in the 2015 Second 500 Guide, which ranks mid-tier web merchants 501-1,000 by 2014 online sales. For example, as a group, the Second 500 e-retailers grew 2014 web sales 14.4% to $6.0 billion from $5.3 billion in 2013.

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But the data show that some types of merchants in this mid-tier market fared better than others in 2014 online retailing sales growth. The 289 e-retailers that sell exclusively online increased sales 15.6% to $3.5 billion from $3.0 billion in 2013. That's actually slightly ahead of the 15.4% growth in total U.S. e-commerce as measured by the U.S. Commerce Department. For the Top 25 fastest-growing web-only Second 500 e-retailers, the collective growth rate amounted to 91.6% last year. The 2015 Second 500 data reveal that men's grooming/personal care e-retailer 800Razors.com grew its web sales 300.0% in 2014 to $4.0 million, making it the fastest-growing e-retailer of this merchant type. 800Razors.com also has the distinction of joining the 282 other Second 500 web merchants that operate mobile-optimized websites, a 12.7% jump from the 251 merchants ranked in the 2014 edition of the Second 500 Guide.

In addition to detailing growth rates and web sales of mid-tier e-retailers, the 2015 Second 500 contains a wealth of other vital financial and operating metrics—261 in all per ranked e-retailer in the online database version of the research—including web traffic, online conversion rates, shopper demographics, marketing statistics, e-commerce vendors used, website features and functions, and much more.

"The data in the Second 500 Guide gives you a comprehensive view of the up-and-coming e-retailers that should be on everyone's radar," says Jack Love, publisher of Internet Retailer. "Chances are, if you're an e-retailer, these web merchants are your direct competitors, so your business will benefit from studying their secrets to success. And if you're an investment professional, e-commerce consultant or solutions provider, the 2015 Second 500 Guide will help you target your next hot prospects," says Love.

Aside from its online database format accessible through a subscription to Top500Guide.com, the world's largest online database of competitive e-commerce information, the Fifth Edition of the 2015 Second 500 Guide is also available in a 320-page full-color print or digital edition that highlights 67 metrics per ranked e-retailer.

For research information or to arrange an interview with an Internet Retailer analyst, contact: Mark Brohan, vice president, Internet Retailer, at 312.362.9535 or [email protected].

For media inquiries, contact: Anna Applegate, corporate marketing communications, Internet Retailer, at 312.572.6264 or [email protected]. 

ABOUT INTERNET RETAILER®

The flagship brand of Chicago-based e-commerce publisher Vertical Web Media, Internet Retailer® provides comprehensive e-commerce business intelligence through print and digital channels, including a monthly magazine, several research guides, web sites, online databases, webinars and e-mail newsletters. Internet Retailer, launched in March 1999, is the largest e-retailing monthly magazine with 44,500 subscribers. InternetRetailer.com is the most-visited informational web site in e-commerce featuring daily industry news and market analysis. The site attracts more than 205,000 unique monthly visitors and is also available in Mandarin for the Chinese e-commerce market at dianshang500.com. IRNewsLink, a daily e-commerce newsletter, is sent to more than 44,000 subscribers and features a weekly mobile commerce edition.

SOURCE Internet Retailer

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