For better or for worse, Amazon has significantly changed the way we shop because of its neverending virtual aisles, endless inventory, and fast same-day delivery.
The convenience that they provide allows consumers to do everything from watching movies to buying groceries without stepping foot outside of the house!
However, there is a growing cohort of consumers that want to shop outside of Amazon due to some of it’s business practices and environmental concerns.
Moreover, some people would rather support small businesses instead of Amazon’s e-commerce monopoly. There are also those who have serious doubts and question Amazon’s ethics and sustainability practices.
Fortunately, there is a vast selection of retail alternatives that you can support online.
This guide will give a complete rundown on the best shopping alternatives to Amazon and share essential insights into the following categories:
Let’s get into it!
The food and grocery industry has seen a huge transformation due to the rise of e-commerce platforms. Here are the best Amazon alternatives that have revolutionized the way we purchase daily essentials:
Thrive Market is an excellent e-retailer that sets out to make sustainable grocery shopping more accessible and affordable.
All of the items that they provide are responsibly sourced, organic, non-GM0, and free of artificial dyes or additives. Buying directly from Thrive Market can save you up to 30% compared to traditional grocery stores.
The Thrive Market brand was established in 2014 as a membership-based online platform for all-natural groceries and other sustainable goods.
They currently offer over 6,000 products from healthy foods and meat to supplements and many more. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or following a paleo diet, you can easily shop based on your lifestyle.
Not only that but Thrive Market puts an emphasis on sourcing environmentally conscious products at great prices.
The site is an ideal place to shop for ethically sourced brands and hard-to-find organic options that are not available on Amazon.
Did you know that not all of the products sold by Costco are available in-store?
On top of that, non-members can shop on the Costco website and it even offers exclusive deals and perks.
For instance, Costco Next is a program that partners with trusted brands to provide products at Costco prices, which can only be purchased online.
While Costco is popular for its competitive prices and a wide array of items, shopping from its website comes with additional discounts that are not available in-store.
Purchasing bulk quantities online can bring even greater prices compared to Amazon, ensuring that you get the best value for your money.
Buying from Costco online also gives you the convenience of having groceries delivered in either 2-day or same-day options.
From Kirkland Signature products to organic groceries, Costco allows you to easily customize your search to find exactly what you are looking for!
Whether you are craving gourmet burgers or organic chicken breast, they provide impressive savings on a wide range of food items.
Walmart is one of the most notable retailers that have revolutionized the e-commerce industry.
Their seamless online shopping experience comes with competitive prices, a user-friendly interface, and a vast selection of products to choose from.
Walmart.com has an extensive range of products with thousands of categories and subcategories from household essentials to groceries.
Each of these items has customer reviews and detailed product descriptions to help you make an informed purchase. You can even compare prices and check out related items to make sure that you get the best deal possible on what you are looking for.
When it comes to convenience, Walmart.com offers several pickup and delivery options that cater to various customer preferences!
Free same-day pickup at the nearest Walmart store to your location will allow you to avoid shipping fees.
However, if you prefer delivery, there is also a free two-day shipping option for eligible orders of a certain amount.
Online shopping gives you the opportunity to avoid crowded checkout lines and explore a world of technology from the comfort of your own home!
Let’s take a look at the best electronic retailer alternatives to Amazon:
In today’s digital age, Best Buy stands as one of the most prominent electronics retailers that have adapted to the increasing popularity and convenience of online shopping. One of the key benefits of shopping at Best Buy’s online platform is the wide range of products available.
Best Buy has an impressive inventory that consists of the latest smartphones, home appliances, gaming consoles, and laptops.
Their online store easily matches what they have to offer in their physical stores. You can compare different brands and models with complete ease on their website.
From discounts to bundle offers that include extended warranties or accessories, customers can take full advantage of Best Buy’s frequent special promotions and exclusive deals.
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, they even have a hassle-free return policy that gives you peace of mind when buying from them online!
Moreover, you also have the option to exchange an item at one of the physical stores.
When it comes to shopping for tech products and purchasing electronics, NewEgg is one of the most cutting-edge alternatives to Amazon that you’ll encounter.
The first-rate customer service, reliable shipping, and daily deals are just some of the benefits that you can experience from this e-commerce site.
Founded in 2001, NewEgg is a widely known online retailer that focuses on PC hardware, automotive and lifestyle technology, consumer electronics, gaming peripherals, and many more.
NewEgg’s top-notch shipping ensures that your item arrives as fast as one business day, easily matching Amazon’s formidable shipping system.
Larger items like home appliances or televisions even have a White Glove Delivery option. This incredible service involves delivering the product to your room of choice, unpacking it, and taking care of the excess packaging materials.
If you are on the lookout for more savings, you’ll be delighted to know that NewEgg has an outlet that sells clearance, open-box, or refurbished electronics at discount prices.
While looking for the best place to find an ideal laptop that suits both your needs and budget can be overwhelming, purchasing from Dell is a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Since 1984, Dell has been among the world’s leading companies that offer high-performance computing.
Whether you are a professional who needs a high-performance device or a student looking for an affordable laptop, you can rest assured that Dell has something for everyone.
From gaming laptops to ultrabooks, Dell laptops are popular for their versatility and customization! Purchasing from Dell allows you to select from different specifications like RAM size, storage capacity, CPU power, and more.
Additionally, Dell technology is dedicated to providing users with innovative products while creating a more sustainable future. Their Concept Luna is a revolutionary prototype for laptop designs that can reduce carbon footprint by up to 50%.
Whether you are looking for jeans and a T-shirt or full office attire, there are endless brands that you can browse through on the web. Here are the best clothing alternatives to Amazon that can take care of all your fashion needs:
If you are online shopping for clothes, Macy’s offers a myriad of advantages that make it an irresistible choice compared to Amazon.
When it comes to the latest fashion trends, Macy’s has an extensive collection of items across several different categories. These range from shoes and apparel to accessories and many more.
With a vast selection to browse through, you’ll find no shortage of high-quality and one-of-a-kind products that can suit your preferences and match your personal style.
Shopping online at Macy’s also opens you up to tons of exclusive discounts that are not available in their physical stores.
You can effortlessly find the perfect item because of Macy’s highly efficient search and filter options. Their powerful search engine gives accurate results to help you narrow down your search by brand, size, color, range, and more.
Lululemon is a yoga and exercise apparel company with lifestyle products that are widely sought-after.
They offer a wide range of athletic clothing such as tops, shorts, pants, and jackets. On top of that, the company also offers accessories like bags, socks, and yoga mats for individuals who engage in fitness activities.
A significant component of their success is the creation of a personalized personal shopping experience. Lululemon was quick to adapt to shifting consumer habits through its revamped digital strategy.
Their e-commerce sales skyrocketed when they introduced a live video-chat shopping experience.
This feature gives customers the option to have a video meeting with a Lululemon specialist to talk about product personalized recommendations, product sizing, and many more! Also make sure to check for working coupons as a lot of their apparel can be quite expensive.
ASOS is a WK-based fashion platform and digital marketplace that focuses on connecting fashion labels with shoppers.
They deliver clothing to more than 200 countries and have around 20 million active users.
As a globally renowned fashion retailer, ASOS provides customers from all over the world with branded women’s wear, men’s wear, accessories, footwear, and many more.
If you are inspired by a particular look from a magazine or in person, you can easily find similar pieces in an instant with their highly advanced photo search technology. All you have to do is snap a picture and upload the photo.
Then, Style Match will search its entire database and present you with the exact or closest items.
Are you looking to load up on supplies for your next DIY project? Let’s dive into the top home improvement alternatives to Amazon and what they have to offer:
Home Depot is a retailer that offers various home improvement products such as building materials, hardware, electrical supplies, flooring, paint, appliances, outdoor gardening products, kitchen and bath products, and many more.
They also provide customers with credit card services, home delivery, and installation services!
Some of the most notable brand names that they carry include HDX, Hampton Bay, Home Decorators Collection, Vigoro, Everbilt, Husky, LifeProof, PetProof, and Glacier Bay.
Home Depot even merchandises its products through different e-commerce websites and its operations are spread across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Aside from the DIY trade, Home Depot also focuses its products on professional building contractors who require lumber, plumbing supplies, tools, and more.
Their success is ultimately attributed to their world-class customer services, affordable tool prices, and a broad selection of products.
Lowe’s is a fantastic place for DIY and home improvement enthusiasts to shop. The company started as a small-town hardware store and eventually developed into one of the biggest home improvement retailers in the globe.
What many customers aren’t aware of is that you can receive a significant amount of parks, savings, and deals when shopping at Lowe’s.
They offer military and veteran discounts that are incredibly easy to access. All you need to do is sign up for a MyLowe’s account using your military ID to receive a 10% discount on all of your purchases once you are registered.
If you are looking to level up your DIY capabilities, Lowe’s also offers valuable workshops for anybody looking to broaden their skill sets.
They even offer a Special Orders program where you can purchase specialized materials that you wouldn't find in-store!
For over 95 years, Ace Hardware has been a trusted brand that has everything you need for any home project.
They have over 5,000 stores around the globe and offer products that range from power tools and paint to gardening equipment and plumbing supplies.
One of the major advantages of shopping at Ace Hardware is its online store! You can easily browse through their whole inventory regardless of your location.
The Ace Rewards program even provides customers with unbelievable sales and members-only coupons. Signing up for it is free and it’s an excellent way to get savings on your home improvement endeavors.
Lastly, Ace Hardware has a strong commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact. They use energy-efficient lighting, carry eco-friendly products, and are partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to promote environmental stewardship.
Keeping up with the dizzying number of online beauty retailers can be difficult, especially when you have specific requirements. Let’s take a look at the best alternatives to Amazon where you can shop for makeup and beauty essentials:
Beautycounter is a one-stop shop for skincare, clean makeup, hair care, and more.
They operate similarly to Thrive Market and even have a list with over 2,800 ingredients that are never used in the formulations of their products. With Beautycounter, you can shop with peace of mind because of their dedication to safety, quality, and sustainability.
In the world of beauty essentials, there are tons of personal-care products made with ingredients that may not be safe to use.
Beautycounter was born out of a necessity to transcend the beauty industry by developing high-performing skincare and makeup so that everybody has access to safer beauty products.
Not only that but the company is also a strong advocate for climate justice and human rights. Their products are 100% responsibly sourced and they make sure to carefully assess the impact of the environment.
Cosmetify is an online beauty platform with millions of customers from all around the world. They carry one of the widest selections of brands for skin care, hair care, makeup, and many more.
This e-commerce site is not necessarily a retailer but rather, the company aggregates as many stores as possible to compare their prices across hundreds of thousands of products to select the best options for your preference.
There is a countless number of reputable brands and stores across every category of Beautycounter’s network of partnerships. This is how they are able to automatically find the best prices for a specific product that you are looking for.
Cosmetify’s ultimate goal is to save you up to 80% by allowing you to place a direct order with a retailer through their quick and secure unified checkout.
Plastic Freedom is a haven for eco-conscious and eco-curious shoppers. They stock sustainable goods from hundreds of brands to make your online shopping experience with them as fun and easy as you can imagine.
The company began as an extension of the founder’s plastic-free journey and as an inspiration to make sustainable lifestyles more possible for others. Since then, the brand has evolved into a zero-waste shop that has collections for beauty, home and dining, clothing, and more.
From plastic-free adhesive and wrapping to gift sets, Plastic Freedom is an online marketplace that has all of your beauty and miscellaneous needs covered.