In a rapidly digitalising, post-COVID world, e-commerce has become the driving force of global commerce, empowering consumers with endless choices at every turn. However, this constant demand for variety and convenience compels 89% of businesses to remain operational 24/7 to meet consumers’ urgent needs and high expectations—especially in cities like London, where payment to delivery can happen in under 18 hours.
As consumer expectations and purchasing behaviours evolve, e-commerce continues to transform. With nearly every B2C e-commerce business offering delivery and online services, the market has become increasingly saturated. Staying ahead of the competition now requires innovative strategies to attract and retain customers.
In this article, we’ll highlight the top e-commerce brands leading the way in 2025, exploring their operational strategies, SEO efforts, and optimisation techniques that drive their success.
Ikea London
With the long-awaited opening of its Oxford Circus location, IKEA now operates six stores across London, including its standard warehouse and smaller shopping locations. This new Central London hub plays a crucial role in fulfilling a key goal set in 2022: integrating 24-hour delivery into its UK business model.
By establishing a strategic depot in the heart of London, IKEA can streamline its delivery services, reducing wait times and lowering delivery costs—making its offerings even more appealing to consumers. Smaller packaged items, such as kitchen utensils and cookware, can now be delivered free of charge, while delivery fees for larger furniture pieces are significantly reduced.
This shift removes a major barrier to small, last-minute purchases, especially with next-day delivery available for orders placed before 2 PM. As a result, by adding the final feather to its cap and eliminating the biggest dealbreaker — the delivery surcharge — Ikea has enhanced its convenience and affordability for London shoppers. Positioning itself as an Ecommerce SEO business set to see a surge in online traffic & sales throughout 2025, operating in the 3rd largest Ecommerce market in the world.
TikTok Shop
In 2024, TikTok saw the highest rate of shoppers who were also active platform users, surpassing all other social commerce platforms. However, while it faces challenges in the Australian and U.S. markets due to legislative restrictions and potential bans, its UK presence remains strong.
Looking ahead to 2025, buyer growth in the UK is expected to plateau as the market matures. Converting users into buyers will become more difficult as the initial novelty fades. Purchases will increasingly be driven by trending products, viral moments, and effective content marketing tailored to user interests.
A major hurdle is buyer’s remorse, with 55% of users admitting to regretting a social media purchase. To combat this, TikTok’s e-commerce strategy will rely heavily on SEO-driven marketing, leveraging crucial keywords, targeted ads, and demographic insights. The company is projecting 100% growth in the next year, but sustaining this momentum will require brands to craft precise, data-driven campaigns aimed at the right audiences. While impulse buying among younger users may decline, a strategic campaign which has its ecommerce optimised for SEO will be key to sustaining market exposure, growth, and sales targets.
Sainsbury’s
In today’s world, delivery speed is arguably the biggest factor influencing purchasing decisions across all industries. The ability to meet consumer urgency often determines whether a sale is made, with convenience remaining a top priority. This is precisely why Sainsbury’s is emerging as a key player in the e-commerce space.
Recognising the growing demand for rapid delivery, Sainsbury’s has reintroduced same-day delivery services and expanded its Chop-Chop offering, which guarantees one-hour delivery for a premium fee. Additionally, by partnering with third-party platforms like Deliveroo and UberEATS, the supermarket chain now provides 20-minute deliveries from over 500 locations.
In the highly competitive e-commerce landscape, speed is everything. To cement its position, Sainsbury’s is investing heavily in SEO strategies to maximise awareness and exposure, ensuring that consumers associate the brand with fast and convenient delivery. By leveraging digital marketing and search optimisation, Sainsbury’s aims to convert potential customers instantly and build long-term loyalty through sheer convenience.
Liquid Death
The UK’s drinking culture is shifting, especially among younger generations. With the rising cost of living, soaring prices of a night out, and an increasing focus on health, alcohol consumption is steadily declining. In 2024, the average alcohol intake per person was down 20% compared to 2019, and with 20% of the UK population now abstaining from alcohol, younger generations are driving this change. However, socialising remains essential—so what’s the alternative?
Enter Liquid Death, a brand redefining the sober lifestyle. Known for its edgy branding and canned artisanal water and sodas that resemble beers and mixers, the company is breaking down the stigma of going alcohol-free. Having already made waves in the U.S., Liquid Death is now capitalising on the UK’s growing trend of sobriety, particularly during Dry January and Dry July, fuelling its rapid expansion into a billion-dollar company.
With a sharp focus on SEO, brand merchandising, and cultural relevance, Liquid Death has mastered digital exposure. Its “Murder Your Thirst” slogan, grunge-inspired aesthetic, and partnerships with festivals, bars, and influencers position the brand directly in front of its target audience. By leveraging social media trends, collaborating with celebrities, and optimising its Ecommerce strategy with high-intent keywords, Liquid Death is carving out a significant share of the UK market—proving that sobriety can be just as bold as the alternative.
Conclusion
As e-commerce grows more competitive, matching intent and reaching the right consumers is essential. While factors like delivery speed and convenience remain crucial, SEO remains a key driver of visibility, engagement, and conversions.
These leading brands demonstrate the power of a strong business proposition and effective SEO, positioning them to dominate in 2025 by optimising for consumer behaviour and targeted keywords.
To thrive in a saturated market, e-commerce brands must prioritise SEO and data-driven strategies to capture demand, increase traffic, and drive growth in the year ahead.