Alibaba.com is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. It was started by Jack Ma, along with 17 other friends, in April 1999. Alibaba.com offers anything and everything under the sun. From home and garden items, gifts and crafts, to furniture, construction and real estate, textiles and leather products, lights and lighting, even vehicles and accessories, and industrial machinery. It has established itself as the go-to online retailer in China.
Alibaba is not the only company who does this kind of business. Check out similar sites like Alibaba.
Amazon
Jeff Bezos started Amazon in July 1994. What he started as an online bookstore grew into the largest online retailer in the world, servicing countries all over the world. Amazon has expanded its business to publishing (Amazon Publishing), film and TV (Amazon Studios), produces consumer electronics, and provides cloud infrastructure services (IaaS and PaaS). It has the widest selection of merchandise for the B2C market. They offer music (Amazon Music), electronics and smart gadgets, luggage, apparel and footwear, movies and TV shows (Amazon Prime, Fire TV), software, tools and home improvement, health and household items, toys and games, automotive, books, arts and crafts, video games, home and kitchen, beauty and personal care, and industrial and scientific materials.
eBay
Founded by Pierre Omidyar in September 1995, eBay has established itself as one of the leaders in C2C and B2C. eBay started as an online retailer that sells items through auctions. It has since expanded its products and services to regular online transactions, online event ticket trading, and online money transfers. eBay.com also sells everything under the sun, from motor vehicles and accessories, to fashion items, electronics, art and collectibles / memorabilia, home and garden, sporting goods, toys and hobbies, music, and business and industrial. You can find almost everything in their website.
Walmart
Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton in Arkansas. It has established itself as a multinational retail corporation. Walmart has successful brick-and-mortar stores all over the US and in 26 countries. Their online site also carries a diverse range of products, which includes auto and tires, baby needs, beauty, books, mobile phones, clothing, food, electronics, gifts, health, home and home improvement, household essentials, jewelry, movies, music, office, party and occasions, patio and garden, pets, pharmacy, photo center, sports and outdoors, toys, and video games. They offer free delivery and pick-up.
Target
Target was founded by George Dayton in 1902, with the original name as Goodfellow Dry Goods. In 2000, the company’s name was changed to Target Corporation. Aside from its brick-and-mortar stores, their online site sells retail goods for young and “image-conscious shoppers.” They carry a whole range of items, which includes fashion and accessories, baby needs, footwear, home and furniture, kitchen and dining, patio and garden, toys, electronics, video games, movies, music and books, sports and outdoors, beauty and personal care, health, household essentials, pets, grocery, luggage, party supplies, school and office supplies, and musical instruments.
Global Sources
In 1970, Merle Hinrichs and C. Joseph Bendy founded Global Sources in Hongkong. The business focuses on the B2B market, with Global Sources connecting over 1.5 million buyers and retailers and suppliers in the world. Various items can be sourced from the online site, like auto parts and accessories, bags and luggage, consumer electronics, electronic components, fashion accessories and footwear, fashion apparel and fabric, hardware, home products, LEDs and optoelectronics, machinery and parts, mobile electronics, and smart gadgets.
