How Many eCommerse Sites Are There?

How Many eCommerce Sites Are There Worldwide

As of 2026, there are about 25.1 million eCommerce sites worldwide—a 4.1% increase.

The United States alone accounts for more than 13 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 to explore how e-commerce has exploded worldwide in recent years.

Methodology

I dove deep into over 25 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, offering insights into the most popular technologies in the e-commerce industry.

But here’s the best part:

The data I used is fresh and accurate as of January 13th, 2026. By leveraging BuiltWith’s extensive database, I ensured my analysis was thorough and reflected the current state of the e-commerce 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 2026?

There are more than 25 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 2019-2026

In 2019, there were 9.2 million e-commerce sites. Fast-forward to 2026, and there are a staggering 25.1 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
2026 25.1 million 4.1%
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.
  • 2025 to 2026: The number of e-commerce sites started increasing again, with a 4.1% increase.

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 25 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 e-commerce space?

Here’s the lowdown:

Rank Country Number of Sites
1. United States 13.4 million
2. United Kingdom 1.1 million
3. Germany 0.7 million
4. Brazil 0.7 million
5. Australia 0.6 million
6. France 0.6 million
7. Canada 0.5 million
8. India 0.4 million
9. Russia 0.3 million
10. Italy 0.3 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 e-commerce 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 2019-2026As of 2026the United States has 13.4 million eCommerce sitesup 12.6% from the previous year.

Here’s how the number of e-commerce sites has evolved over time:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2026 13.4 million 12.6
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.
  • 2025 to 2026: The number of e-commerce sites increased again by 12.6%.

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 market share, even as others exit or pivot to new business models.

A Snapshot of the UK eCommerce Growth

Next, we turn our attention to the United Kingdom.

As of 2026, the UK has 1.1 million e-commerce sites.

Here’s how the numbers have changed over time:

Year eCommerce Sites YoY Growth
2024 1.1 million
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.
  • 2025 to 2026: The number of e-commerce sites stayed the same – 1.1 million.

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.

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.
  • January 13, 2026: Latest update with 2026 figures.

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