Top Ten Internet Retailers

So who are the best Internet Retailers?

Internet retail seeks to give customers the best customer shopping experience. This experience is not merely the transaction but it also includes everything up to and after this, including browsing, selection, purchase, shipping and returns. Many companies claim to provide this holistic shopping experience, but let us see what the volume of Internet traffic in a 2006 report for the UK showed.

1.

Amazon UK was the most trafficked site in August 2006 according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group and, interestingly the best site in the Blast Radius 2005 and 2006 reports in the USA. Here are some of the key strengths and weaknesses identified:

Key Strengths:

• Unique decision support tools
• Use of customer created content
• Overall customer involvement is high
• Experience is mapped to customer needs
• Ongoing innovation
• Intuitive interface
• Personalization
• Contextual help

Weaknesses:

• Product comparison
• Returns handling
• Access to privacy policy

2.

Dell EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), is one of Europe's largest eCommerce companies and the world's largest PC manufactures. This team work with all the business units within Dell to make Dell's products and services more user friendly in their appearance, and also ensure that customer interaction is maximised.

3.

Apple Computer UK was a primary driving force in the establishment of personal computers in the 1970s with the Apple III and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple prides itself in its commitment to providing the best personal computer experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.

4.


Next today trades with over 460 stores in the UK and EIRE. In the past two years Next has concentrated on opening larger stores, this was seen with the opening of their anchor store at the Manchester Arndale Centre with the store in excess of 80,000 square feet. However, it was in 1999 that Next entered the Internet Retail business making their entire catalogue available, page-by-page on the Internet.

5.

Comet launched its fully transactional website in 1999. Customer traffic consistently shows Comet as the No. 1 electrical website.

6.

Tesco/QVC UK. Both these companies are in joint sixth position for internet retailer.
Tesco launched its online website in 2000; Tesco.com is the largest grocery home-shopping service in the world, in addition to selling books, DVDs , wine , electrical goods, flowers online.
QVC UK stands for Quality, Value and Convenience, which are seen as the three pillars of the company's vision.QVC UK is also the nation's largest electronic retailer, selling a wide variety of merchandise that includes clothing,jewellery,cosmetics ,electronics,housewares,and toys.

7.

Currys/Littlewoods. Both these companies are in joint seventh position for internet retailer.
Currys the largest electrical chain in Britain's offers a fully comprehensive selection of PC's domestic electronical appliances, audio, vision,communication devices online.
Littlewoods specialize in Womenswear, Menswear, Kidswear & Nursery, Sportswear & Equipment, Your Home &Garden, Appliances , Electronics, Leisure & Hobbies, Toys & Gifts, and Jewellery.

8.

ASOS launched its website in the summer of 2000. Asos.com offers an expensive range of fashion and designer clothing for men and women, accessories and beauty brands at competitive prices. ASOS.com is now one of the top most visited on-line clothing stores in the UK and ships thousands of orders every day.

9.

John Lewis has been established for over 140 years with its traditional image John Lewis has still managed to stay competitive in such a fierce market, it is believed that by giving each of its employees a share in the business profits has been a big motivator and increased staff commitment levels. It was then in 2001, that the John Lewis website was official launched, which specialised complementarity with its stores in promoting home , gift and new technology.

10.

Hewlett-Packard/Marks and Spencer are in joint tenth position for Internet Retailer.
Hewlett-Packard was the founder in imaging and printing technologies.It was the first in the market during the 1980's to come up with inkjet and laser technology used in printers until date.
Marks and Spencer, in 1999 launched its online shopping , which specialise in women's clothing, lingerie and men's clothing lingeries , childrenswear, home and furniture.