How Many eCommerse Sites Are There?

How Many eCommerce Sites Are There Worldwide

As of 2025, there are about 24 million eCommerce sites worldwide—a drop from the previous high of 27 million but still far above the 9.2 million recorded in 2019.

The United States alone accounts for nearly 12 million online stores, underlining the global shift to digital commerce.

The growth of e-commerce isn’t just happening in one corner of the globe—it’s a worldwide phenomenon.

In this article, I’ll dive deep into the numbers, exploring how e-commerce has exploded worldwide in recent years.

Methodology

I dove deep into over 24 million eCommerce websites to provide the most accurate and up-to-date insights.

My primary data source?

The robust BuiltWith Web Technology Usage Report is a goldmine examining the most popular technologies in the eCommerce industry.

But here’s the best part:

The data I used is fresh and accurate as of February 27th, 2025. By leveraging BuiltWith’s extensive database, I ensured that my analysis was thorough and reflective of the current state of the eCommerce landscape.

In short, I combined cutting-edge data tools with detailed industry reports to give you a clear, reliable picture of eCommerce growth trends.

How Many eCommerce Sites Are There in 2025?

There are more than 24 million eCommerce sites worldwide, and while new sites are still being created daily, the growth trend has recently shifted.

The eCommerce landscape has exploded in recent years, and the numbers speak for themselves:

Take a look at this chart:

Global Growth of eCommerce Sites YoY 2019-2025

In 2019, there were 9.2 million eCommerce sites. Fast-forward to 2025, and there are a staggering 24.1 million.

Even with a recent dip, that’s still more than double what we saw in 2019.

But here’s the kicker:

The year-over-year (YoY) growth rate has had its ups and downs:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2025 24.1 million -11.4%
2024 27.2 million 2.6%
2023 26.5 million 1.1%
2022 26.2 million 39%
2021 19.8 million 204%
2020 9.7 million 5.4%
2019 9.2 million
  • 2019 to 2020: There was a modest increase from 9.2 million to 9.7 million sites, marking a 5.4% growth.
  • 2020 to 2021: Boom! A massive surge to 19.8 million sites, a whopping 204% increase.
  • 2021 to 2022: Growth continued to 26.2 million, a 39% increase. It was not as explosive as the previous year, but still impressive.
  • 2022 to 2023: Growth slows down a bit, reaching 26.5 million sites with a 1.1% increase.
  • 2023 to 2024: A slight rebound, growing to 27.2 million sites, a 2.6% increase.
  • 2024 to 2025: A sharp downturn, with eCommerce sites declining to 24.1 million, marking a -11.4% decrease.

So, what’s driving these fluctuations?

  • Pandemic Surge: The 2020–2021 period saw unprecedented acceleration, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, which shifted consumer behavior heavily toward online shopping.
  • Post-Pandemic Correction: After the initial boom, the market stabilized and then corrected. Some temporary online businesses scaled back or consolidated, contributing to the recent decline.
  • Maturing Market: Despite the dip from 2024 to 2025, the market has still grown significantly since 2019. As online commerce becomes more saturated, we can expect more moderate, sometimes even negative, year-over-year changes.

eCommerce is still a massive market with over 24 million sites worldwide, but growth patterns can vary year to year.

While the pandemic triggered unprecedented expansion, the sector is now finding its footing in a more mature and competitive landscape.

Top 10 Countries by Number of eCommerce Sites

Wondering which countries dominate the eCommerce space?

Here’s the lowdown:

Rank Country Number of Sites
1. United States 11.9 million
2. United Kingdom 1.1 million
3. Brazil 0.7 million
4. Germany 0.7 million
5. Australia 0.6 million
6. France 0.6 million
7. Russia 0.4 million
8. India 0.4 million
9. Canada 0.4 million
10. Italy 0.4 million
  • The United States leads significantly, reflecting its advanced digital infrastructure and consumer behavior.
  • Countries like Brazil and India are emerging as significant players, showing rapid growth and potential.
  • Europe has a strong presence with the UK, Germany, and France, each contributing significantly to the global eCommerce market.

These numbers reveal a fascinating trend: while traditional markets grow, emerging markets quickly catch up.

A Quick Overview of the Top 3 Countries

When it comes to eCommerce, a few countries are leading the pack.

Let’s dive into the top three and see what makes them stand out.

How Many eCommerce Sites Are There in the US?

The rise of eCommerce in the United States has been nothing short of phenomenal—but in recent years, the growth trend has taken a turn.

eCommerce Sites in the US by Year in 2019-2025

As of 2025the United States has 11.9 million eCommerce sites, reflecting a -13.1% change from the previous year.

Despite the downturn, the total number of sites remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, signaling that the market is still substantial. However, it appears to be entering a period of consolidation.

Here’s how the number of eCommerce sites has evolved over time:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2025 11.9 million -13.1
2024 13.7 million -2.1%
2023 14 million 47.2%
2022 9.5 million 10.4%
2021 8.6 million 30.3%
2020 6.6 million 83.3%
2019 3.6 million
  • 2019: The journey begins with 3.6 million eCommerce sites in the US.
  • 2019 to 2020: The number surges to 6.6 million, an 83.3% increase, largely driven by the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic that pushed businesses online.
  • 2020 to 2021: Growth remains robust at 8.6 million sites, marking a 30.3% increase as more businesses recognize the potential of online commerce.
  • 2021 to 2022: The market steadies with 9.5 million sites—still a healthy 10.4% jump, reflecting sustained consumer demand.
  • 2022 to 2023: A significant leap to 14 million sites, a 47.2% increase. This surge is attributed to ongoing digital transformation and strong consumer preferences for online shopping.
  • 2023 to 2024: A slight dip to 13.7 million sites, a -2.1% change. While a decrease, the overall number remains high, indicating the start of a possible consolidation phase.
  • 2024 to 2025: A sharper drop to 11.9 million sites, marking a -13.1% decrease. This suggests that some online businesses may have closed, merged, or restructured post-pandemic, contributing to the contraction.

Despite these recent declines, the overall US eCommerce landscape is still vastly larger than it was in 2019.

The market appears to be entering a mature phase, where rapid expansion is giving way to consolidation and strategic recalibration.

As consumer behavior continues to evolve, the most adaptable eCommerce businesses will maintain or grow their share, even while others exit or pivot to different business models.

A Snapshot of the UK eCommerce Growth

Next, we turn our attention to the United Kingdom.

As of 2025, the UK has 1.1 million eCommerce sites, reflecting a -15.4% change from 2024.

While this marks a dip, the overall number of online businesses remains significantly higher than it was just a few years ago, indicating that the market is experiencing a period of consolidation rather than a long-term decline.

Here’s how the numbers have changed over time:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2025 1.1 million -15.4%
2024 1.3 million 2.4%
2023 1.2 million 45.9%
2022 0.9 million 54.5%
2021 0.6 million 211.5%
2020 0.3 million -7.1%
2019 0.3 million
    • 2019: The starting point sits at 0.3 million eCommerce sites in the UK.
    • 2019 to 2020: The number dips slightly to 0.3 million, a -7.1% shift, likely reflecting early pandemic disruptions.
    • 2020 to 2021: A massive jump to 0.6 million sites—a 211.5% increase—as businesses pivoted online in response to COVID-19.
    • 2021 to 2022: Continued growth to 0.9 million sites, marking a 54.5% increase. eCommerce adoption was strong.

2022 to 2023: Another significant leap to 1.2 million sites, a 45.9% increase, solidifying the UK’s position as an eCommerce powerhouse.

  • 2023 to 2024: Growth steadies at 1.3 million sites, a 2.4% increase—indicative of a maturing market.
  • 2024 to 2025: The first notable decline to 1.1 million sites, a -15.4% drop, suggesting a period of consolidation and market correction.

Despite the recent downturn, the UK eCommerce sector remains vibrant and is vastly larger than it was in 2019.

As the market transitions from rapid growth to a more mature, competitive environment, we can expect periodic fluctuations and consolidations while still offering ample opportunity for businesses that adapt to evolving consumer demands.

Brazil’s eCommerce Boom and Recent Correction

Now, let’s head over to Brazil, where the eCommerce sector has experienced a significant boom over the past few years—followed by a recent market correction.

As of 2025, Brazil has 0.7 million eCommerce sites, reflecting a -12.5% change from 2024.

Despite this dip, the market remains considerably larger than it was just a few years ago, highlighting the country’s still-strong foundation of online business.

Here’s how the numbers have shifted over time:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2025 0.7 million -12.5%
2024 0.8 million 9.2%
2023 0.7 million 36.9%
2022 0.4 million 51.7%
2021 0.3 million 263.6
2020 0.1 million 10.2%
2019 0.1 million
  • 2019: Brazil’s eCommerce journey begins with 0.1 million sites.
  • 2019 to 2020: A modest rise to 0.1 million, marking a 10.2% growth—an early sign of accelerating online adoption.
  • 2020 to 2021: The number jumps to 0.3 million sites, a staggering 263.6% increase, as pandemic-driven behaviors rapidly shift more businesses online.
  • 2021 to 2022: Growth remains strong at 0.4 million sites, a 51.7% increase—eCommerce momentum continues.
  • 2022 to 2023: Another notable leap to 0.7 million sites, a 36.9% increase, firmly establishing Brazil as a rising star in eCommerce.
  • 2023 to 2024: A steadier climb to 0.8 million sites, a 9.2% increase, suggesting the market is maturing.
  • 2024 to 2025: A reversal to 0.7 million sites, marking a -12.5% decline, indicative of a market correction and consolidation phase.

Despite the recent downturn, Brazil’s eCommerce sector is still significantly larger than it was in 2019.

The market appears to be moving from a phase of explosive growth to one of refinement and consolidation, where established players are consolidating their positions and some smaller ventures may be exiting or merging.

This evolution is normal in a maturing market, and it sets the stage for more sustainable, long-term growth going forward.

Conclusion and Key Takeways

  1. Consolidation is Underway
    • In 2025, eCommerce site counts dropped by -13.1% in the US, -15.4% in the UK, and -12.5% in Brazil. These simultaneous dips signal a “shakeout,” where only stronger or more innovative players survive.
  2. From Quantity to Quality
    • The frantic surge of 2021 (where the UK jumped 211.5% and Brazil soared 263.6%) is now giving way to fewer but more resilient stores focused on profitability and customer experience.
  3. Global Patterns Converge
    • The transition from explosive pandemic-era growth (up to 204% YoY in some markets) to moderate or negative rates in 2024–2025 shows that even emerging regions are catching up fast, then leveling off like established markets.
  4. Innovation May Accelerate
    • A leaner field often triggers higher-tech solutions—from AI-powered recommendations to advanced fulfillment options—because remaining players need to outdo each other for a share of a more discerning consumer base.
  5. Specialization Over Generalization
    • General marketplaces still dominate, but niche eCommerce sites can thrive by offering depth rather than breadth, especially as consumers seek personalized experiences and curated product lines.

Update History:

  • May 5, 2022: Article originally published with foundational data and insights.
  • June 26, 2023: Expanded data sets and refined analysis based on new research.
  • July 9, 2024: Additional updates, fresh statistics, and key takeaways reflecting market shifts.
  • February 27, 2025: Latest comprehensive update with 2025 figures, revised commentary, and final conclusions.

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