Shopify Stores UK: Everything To Know About
By Sam Nguyen
Key Takeaways
- Shopify has become a popular e-commerce platform in the UK because its user-friendly interface and minimal upfront investment allow businesses of all sizes to launch online stores easily and swiftly.
- Top-selling categories for Shopify stores in the UK are apparel, home and garden goods, and beauty and fitness products.
Shopify Stores UK: Summary
Shopify UK has become a go-to platform for over 4 million eCommerce stores (according to a statistic of BuiltWith), marking its popularity in the market. Businesses favor Shopify for two primary reasons:
- Ease of Setup: Creating a Shopify store is simple, requiring minimal technical knowledge. This user-friendly setup makes it accessible for anyone to begin an online store swiftly.
- Low Investment: Even small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) find launching and operating an online store feasible with minimal upfront costs. Shopify offers tools and features that allow businesses to scale up without substantial initial investments.
Imagine starting your online store without extensive technical skills and making it a thriving eCommerce venture by leveraging Shopify’s features. In 2023, some of the most successful Shopify stores have emerged, generating significant revenue. These stores serve as inspirations, showcasing how leveraging Shopify’s tools and features can lead to successful online businesses.
Overview of top 100 Shopify Stores UK in 2023
The top 100 Shopify stores in the UK include renowned brands like Oh Polly UK, Motelrocks.com, Represent Clo I US, Public Desire UK, Club L London – UK, Kick Game, Chi Chi London, Lisa Eldridge, and more. These brands have contributed significantly to Shopify’s increasing popularity in the UK.
Shopify’s user-friendly interface, adaptability, and diverse functionalities have attracted businesses from different sectors and sizes, facilitating their online sales and growth within the eCommerce landscape.
You can view the complete list of Shopify Stores in UK (top 100) here.
10 Samples Best Shopify Stores UK in 2023
1. Oh Polly
Category
Apparel, Women’s Clothing including dresses, tops, bottoms, etc.
Year Joined Shopify
2018
Brand’s Stories
Oh Polly, a UK-based women’s fashion brand, has rapidly grown since its 2015 launch, becoming a leader in fast fashion and social media marketing. They focus on stylish dresses, especially bodycon styles, designed and made at their Manchester headquarters.
The brand’s success is mainly attributed to its effective social media and influencer marketing use. With nearly 5 million Instagram followers, they regularly post new arrivals and collaborate with influencers. Oh Polly is one of the most engaged UK fashion brands online, with over 8 million combined followers on their brand channels.
Oh Polly offers worldwide shipping and sells trend-driven fashion in almost every country. Their product range has expanded to include swimwear, tops, bottoms, and accessories. Affordable prices and quality designs have earned them a loyal customer base.
Oh Polly has become a beloved British brand through in-house manufacturing, a diverse product range, and a savvy digital marketing strategy, especially among young fashion enthusiasts and social media users. They continue to focus on connecting with customers online and delivering the latest stylish pieces from their UK design studio to a global audience.
2. Represent
Category
Apparel: ready-to-wear, denim, footwear, accessories, etc.
Year Joined Shopify
2016
Brand’s Stories
Represent is a British streetwear brand founded in 2011 by brothers George and Michael Heaton. It started as a college project, selling clothing with George’s artwork. The brand gained popularity, focusing on high-quality craftsmanship with a British heritage style. They offer ready-to-wear denim, shoes, and accessories for men and women.
In 2012, Represent launched its signature Reptor sneaker, recognized by GQ in 2020. They also had notable collaborations, like one with the Chemical Brothers in 2019. Based in Manchester, Represent values excellent construction and sources fabrics globally. They work on modern luxury clothing at various price points.
In 2022, they partnered with Liam Gallagher for a limited collection inspired by Manchester’s cultural history. Represent stands out for its quality, blending British heritage with streetwear. They aim to be a top global brand by evolving and maintaining high standards in each collection.
3. Public Desire
Category
Apparel, Footwear
Year Joined Shopify
2017
Brand’s Stories
Public Desire, a global brand, offers stylish, affordable shoes and clothing. They started on Amazon and later became their brand in 2014. Their successful collaboration with Hailey Baldwin (Bieber) was a standout moment, resulting in 20 popular shoe styles.
With about 1.9 million Instagram followers, they engage with influencers and followers from their Manchester headquarters. Public Desire’s focus is on trendy fashion at budget-friendly prices. They have a wide range of shoes, including heels, sandals, boots, sneakers, and accessories like bags and jewelry. Their easy-to-use website makes shopping a breeze, and they often have sales for great discounts.
They offer worldwide shipping for quick delivery and a 14-day return policy for customer satisfaction. Stay updated on the latest trends on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
4. Kick Game
Category
Footwear, Apparel, Athletic
Year Joined Shopify
2019
Brand’s Stories
Founded by London brothers David and Robert Franks in 2013, Kick Game is an online retailer specializing in rare sneakers and streetwear. They’re known for authentic, hard-to-find releases and carry top brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan, including limited edition styles.
Kick Game guarantees authenticity, offers worldwide shipping, and has a 14-day return policy. They’ve built a loyal following through social media and influencer collaborations.
Under CEO Alicia Thompson, Kick Game’s revenue exceeded £40 million in 2022, making it a leader in youth culture. They continue to curate sought-after styles for collectors worldwide.
5. Lisa Eldridge
Category
Cosmetics
Year Joined Shopify
2019
Brand’s Stories
Lisa Eldridge, a renowned makeup artist with over 20 years of experience and 2 million YouTube subscribers, launched her beauty brand in 2019. She began her career working with top designers and brands, eventually becoming the first Global Creative Director for Boots No7. Lisa has created looks for celebrities like Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazine covers.
Lisa built a large following of beauty enthusiasts through online tutorials and a blog. This community inspired her to create luxury, cruelty-free makeup products in minimalist packaging. Her range includes lipsticks, glosses, liners, foundations, and eye shadows, all designed to enhance natural beauty.
Lisa Eldridge’s brand combines her artistic vision with cutting-edge quality, redefining luxury makeup with timeless elegance.
6. Victoria Beckham
Category
Apparel
Year Joined Shopify
2016
Brand’s Stories
Launched in 2008, Victoria Beckham’s brand represents modern British luxury with elegance and contemporary style. From their London atelier, they create meticulously tailored suits, graceful dresses, denim, and stylish separates in captivating colors and prints.
Victoria Beckham, transitioning from a fashion icon to Creative Director, infuses her brand with her keen design sense, attention to detail, and luxurious style. Inspired by art and cinema, the collection blends classic British luxury with a modern edge, offering impeccably crafted clothing, denim, and distinctive prints.
With offices in London and New York, a flagship store in Mayfair, and availability in 230 stores across 50 countries, Victoria Beckham’s brand has earned critical acclaim and industry awards, including Best Designer Brand and Brand of the Year at the BFC’s Fashion Awards. They provide a personalized shopping experience both in key department stores and online.
7. Pasta Evangelists
Category
Food and beverage, Grains & Pasta
Year Joined Shopify
2016
Brand’s Stories
Founded in 2016, Pasta Evangelists delivers authentic Italian pasta to your doorstep. They offer a weekly menu with up to 14 pasta dishes inspired by different regions of Italy. Each order includes handmade pasta, sauces, recipe cards, and garnishes sourced from Italy.
You can choose from subscription plans or one-off boxes, including classic, vegetarian, or gluten-free dishes options. They also offer gift vouchers and subscriptions, making it a unique gift for pasta lovers.
Pasta Evangelists delivers across the UK and occasionally hosts pasta workshops in London. In 2021, they became part of the Barilla Group while continuing to offer their curated range of fresh pasta creations.
8. Cambridge Satchel
Category
Arts & Crafts, Handmade bags
Year Joined Shopify
2016
Brand’s Stories
In 2008, Julie Deane founded the Cambridge Satchel Company with just $600 to cover her children’s tuition. She started making pouches as one of her business ideas and ran the business from her kitchen.
Julie’s hard work paid off when the satchels gained recognition, including features in Vogue Italia and Urban Outfitters. She reached out to bloggers who were crucial in promoting the satchels to a fashionable audience.
As the brand gained worldwide attention, Cambridge Satchel moved production in-house in England to meet demand. They now offer a range of quality leather bags with personalized embossing.
Julie’s determination and effective use of digital platforms have made Cambridge Satchel an internationally admired brand. They continue to blend classic style with modern colors and patterns, thanks to Julie’s inspirational journey in business.
9. GymShark
Category
Gym clothes, workout wear
Year Joined Shopify
2013
Brand’s Stories
In 2012, GymShark, a UK fitness brand, started in a garage and has since gained immense popularity with over 3 million Instagram followers across 130 countries. Their remarkable success includes a significant increase in turnover from USD 138 million to USD 236 million in 2019.
GymShark’s secret to success lies in building a solid community through engaging blogs that inspire fitness enthusiasts. This approach attracts new customers and fosters a loyal customer base.
GymShark has become a global phenomenon from its humble beginnings, uniting the fitness community. With a massive social media presence and customers in over 230 countries, GymShark prioritizes values like caring for the world, doing what’s right, and putting their GymShark family first.
10. Bulletproof
Category
Nutritional supplements, Functional foods, etc.
Year Joined Shopify
2017
Brand’s Stories
Bulletproof was founded by Dave Asprey, an entrepreneur and nutrition author, inspired by a transformative experience in Tibet where he discovered Yak Butter Tea’s energy-boosting benefits. This led to the creation of Bulletproof, offering a range of performance-enhancing foods and supplements that combine modern research with ancient wisdom.
Bulletproof not only provides these products but also offers valuable wellness education through its informative blogs and successfully engages its community through social media. Dave’s journey led to the thriving business, emphasizing the power of food for increased energy and well-being.
Today, Bulletproof remains a top health and nutrition brand, committed to enhancing performance through nutrition and staying true to its origins in ancient wisdom and Dave’s life-changing tea discovery.
Shopify Stores UK: Latest Statistics
Top Categories For Shopify Stores UK
A report by Store Leads on Shopify stores in the United Kingdom shows the top categories are Apparel, Home & Garden, and Beauty & Fitness:
- Apparel: 25.2% – This represents the highest number of Shopify stores in the UK, focusing on selling various clothing items like clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- Home & Garden: 15.1% – Encompasses stores offering products related to home decor, furnishings, gardening tools, and household essentials. It addresses customers’ needs for enhancing living spaces.
- Beauty & Fitness: 10.6% – Involves businesses selling beauty products, cosmetics, skincare, and fitness-related items such as supplements and workout gear. This category targets health-conscious and beauty-oriented consumers.
Fashion, home goods, and beauty are the top-selling verticals for Shopify stores in the UK. Focusing on these popular categories for entrepreneurs launching Shopify shops can help drive online sales.
Top Shipping Carriers For Shopify Stores UK
- Royal Mail is the top choice, used by 30,204 Shopify stores in the UK, constituting 17.6% of all stores.
- UPS is the second most popular carrier, utilized by 4,672 stores, about 2.7% of Shopify stores in the UK.
- FedEx follows UPS, with 3,757 stores (2.2% of total stores) opting for their shipping services.
- Other carriers like USPS, DHL, Canada Post, Australia Post, Correos, China Post, and DPD are also used but by fewer stores compared to the top three carriers.
Royal Mail emerges as the preferred shipping choice among Shopify stores in the UK, with many businesses relying on its services. While UPS and FedEx follow suit, their usage is notably lower than Royal Mail, showcasing various shipping carriers catering to diverse preferences within the online retail landscape.
Social Media Usage On Shopify Stores UK
- Instagram – Utilized by 52.2% (89,695 stores), Instagram is a primary platform known for visual marketing and engaging content.
- Facebook – Used by 39.8% (68,393 stores), Facebook serves as a versatile tool for ads, direct communication, and community building.
- Twitter – Employed by 14.1% (24,200 stores), Twitter allows concise messaging and real-time customer interaction.
Instagram and Facebook are the dominant platforms used by Shopify stores in the UK, with over half utilizing Instagram and two-fifths using Facebook. Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube have notable but lower usage.
For Shopify merchants looking to expand their social media reach, focusing efforts on Instagram and Facebook as the leading platforms should be the priority. Having an engaged presence on these two sites is key for connecting with consumers in the UK market.
FAQs
Final words
Shopify has emerged as a preferred choice for online businesses in the UK due to its simplicity and low initial investment. These successful Shopify stores in the UK, spanning various industries from fashion to food, showcase how leveraging the platform’s features can lead to substantial growth and online success. For entrepreneurs aiming to establish their online presence, these stories offer valuable inspiration and insights into building thriving businesses using Shopify Stores UK.
