2011 Top 300 Europe

Why is tracking Europe’s 300 largest online merchants so important for both American and European e-retailers?

Because you will be surprised—maybe even shocked—by what our researchers found. The results of their proprietary research create competitive challenges—and opportunities—for American and European web merchants alike:

1. The Internet Retailer Top 300 Europe reports that the Europe e-commerce market last year generated $182 billion in sales, more—yes, more—than the American e-retailing market, which last year had sales of $165 billion. What’s more, Europe’s e-retailers as a group grew 12.5% last year, despite a recession that paralyzed some of its governments. The Top 300 Europe identifies, profiles and ranks each of the leading competitors in this vital web retailing market.

2. Fully 12% of e-retailing sales in Europe were generated by American-owned businesses, typically using subsidiary operations across the pond. Conversely, European e-retailers do very little business in the U.S. market. The message? All web merchants, and particularly those in the U.S. and Europe, need to think global, not local, because much more than store-based retailing, e-retailing knows no borders—online competition can originate from any country. The Top 300 Europe shows which American e-retailers are successfully competing in Europe.

3. The U.K. e-commerce market grew 23% last year—double the rate of the European market as a whole. If you’re looking to sell online in Europe, you have to know where the fastest-growing web retail markets are. The Top 300 Europe gives you the scoop on Europe’s hottest online markets.

4. Amazon.com, the online retailing leader in the U.S., is also Europe’s largest e-retailer. Its online sales in Europe grew 35% last year to $12.7 billion. More than any other online merchant, Amazon is aggressively pursuing a global web retailing strategy. The Top 300 Europe reveals who else is pursuing such a global strategy.

5. American e-commerce solution providers are the world leaders in web retailing technology, but they won’t remain so unless they leverage their expertise in foreign markets. Conversely, solution providers in Europe need to know potential customers in their local markets to build a bigger local and regional user base from which to expand globally. The Top 300 Europe reveals which e-commerce technology vendors are providing solutions for Europe’s leading e-retailers.

Look at the Competitive Information the Top 300 Europe Provides

The Top 300 Europe provides critical competitive information on the growth, make-up and leadership in the European countries that comprise the largest e-commerce market in the world. The new publication contains the following information on each Top 300 merchant:

• 2010 Internet sales (basis of ranking)


• Web sales from 2009 and annual growth rate


• Country of origin


• Profile of e-commerce strategy


• Section on mobile commerce sites, apps and key features and functions


• Parent company organization


• Corporate  information including headquarters address and phone


• List of web site features & functions


• Customer service features & functions


• Monthly web traffic and unique visitors


• Vendors used in 20 solutions areas


• Conversion rate


• Names and titles of top e-commerce management


• Payment types, including cards and alternative methods, accepted


• Average sales ticket on web


• Industry of corporate parent


• Number of SKUs on the site


• Merchandising category


• Year launched


• All URLs utilized


• Social networks utilized