Exploring Local E-commerce Platforms in North America
2025/10/2:When talking about North American e-commerce, global giants like Amazon and eBay often dominate the conversation. Together, they hold nearly half of the region’s online retail market. However, several local e-commerce platforms are steadily gaining traction. For sellers aiming to diversify, it’s important to look beyond the giants and understand what these local players bring to the table.
1. Target – The U.S. Retail Powerhouse
Founded in 1902 in Minneapolis, Target Corporation is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, right behind Walmart. With nearly 2,000 stores and 46 distribution centers, Target offers over 165,000 online products, covering apparel, home goods, electronics, beauty, sports, and more.
While Target briefly expanded into Canada, it closed its stores in 2015. Today, it remains a U.S.-focused retail giant, with a growing online presence.
2. Overstock – A Veteran Online Retailer
Launched in 1999 in Utah, Overstock started with surplus and discount furniture. Over time, it expanded into bedding, jewelry, apparel, beauty, and consumer electronics. Today, Overstock is recognized as the 5th largest home and furniture e-commerce retailer in the U.S., earning a reputation for customer trust and service excellence.
3. Best Buy – Electronics Leader
Founded in 1966, Best Buy is a household name in consumer electronics. While most of its revenue still comes from physical stores, e-commerce has become a significant part of its business. With operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Best Buy remains one of North America’s leading electronics retailers, generating over $43 billion in global revenue in 2020.
4. Canadian Tire – Canada’s Local Champion
Canadian Tire is Canada’s second-largest e-commerce platform and one of the most visited retail websites in the country, drawing over 43 million monthly visits. With more than 450 stores nationwide, its product categories range from automotive and hardware to sports, leisure, and home goods.
Unlike Amazon or eBay, Canadian Tire does not allow open third-party sellers. Instead, it works directly with suppliers, with offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong to support sourcing.
5. Tophatter – Mobile Auction Shopping
Tophatter, founded in Silicon Valley, offers a unique twist: live auction-style shopping via mobile. The platform has expanded with offices in San Francisco, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. With its fast-paced, interactive shopping model, Tophatter appeals to younger buyers and those looking for deals in fashion, jewelry, electronics, and more.
Why This Matters for Cross-Border Sellers
For international sellers entering North America, knowing only Amazon or eBay isn’t enough. Platforms like Target, Overstock, Canadian Tire, and Tophatter provide niche opportunities—whether in home goods, electronics, or interactive mobile commerce.
However, success in these platforms doesn’t just depend on listing products. Sellers must also ensure efficient logistics, customs compliance, and fast fulfillment to compete locally.
B&J’s Advantage
At B&J Global, we help cross-border sellers bridge this gap. With self-operated warehouses across major North American cities and an intelligent system that integrates directly with platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and eBay, we provide:
- Seamless customs clearance and tax support
- Automatic order syncing and fulfillment
- Real-time courier rate comparison to cut shipping costs
- Flexible warehousing solutions for both bulk and single-item orders
As North America’s e-commerce landscape diversifies, sellers need more than just marketplace access—they need a logistics partner who ensures reliability and cost-efficiency.