2025 Latest Edition: Review and Shopping Tips for 21 US Shopping Websites

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You are shopping in a vast and continuously growing market. The US e-commerce market is the world’s second largest, with an impressive scale.

• By the end of 2025, US e-commerce sales are expected to exceed $1.17 trillion.
• In 2024, Amazon alone accounted for 37% of online sales share.
• Online groceries are expected to become the fastest-growing category in 2026.

This guide will help you clearly understand the US market; we reviewed 21 shopping websites to assist you in achieving an efficient and cost-saving online shopping experience based on your needs.

Key Takeaways

• The US e-commerce market is huge, with Amazon dominating, but Walmart stands out in fresh groceries.
• Choose the right website category based on shopping needs, such as general merchandise, home improvement, electronics, fashion and beauty, or niche specialty sites.
• Use annual major promotions (like Prime Day and Black Friday), membership programs, student discounts, cashback sites, and price comparison tools to save significant shopping expenses.
• For cross-border shopping, use digital wallets and freight forwarders to solve payment and international shipping issues.
• Carefully check product information before shopping, especially sizes and return policies, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Overview of 21 US Shopping Websites: Category Guide

To make it easier for you to find your targets, we divided these 21 shopping websites into five categories. This category guide can help you quickly lock in the most suitable platform based on your shopping needs. Each category has its unique advantages and focused areas.

General Merchandise: Meeting Daily Needs

These websites are like huge online shopping centers. You can almost find everything.

• Product Range: From food, paper towels, and other daily essentials to clothing, electronics, and toys.
• Representative Websites: Amazon, Walmart, Target.
• Suitable For: You who want one-stop shopping for all daily items.

Home Improvement: Creating Ideal Spaces

If you plan to decorate a new home or renovate an old one, these websites are your top choices. They offer massive selections of furniture, decorations, and building materials.

• Product Range: Sofas, mattresses, lighting, rugs, paint, tools, etc.
• Representative Websites: Wayfair, Home Depot, Lowe’s.
• Suitable For: You who are furnishing a home or love DIY.

Electronics: Must-Visit for Tech Enthusiasts

These are places to buy the latest tech products. Whether you need a new computer, phone, or gaming device, you can find it here.

• Product Range: Laptops, smartphones, TVs, cameras, headphones, and computer accessories.
• Representative Websites: Best Buy, Newegg.
• Suitable For: You who pursue the latest tech products and have strong interest in electronics.

Fashion and Beauty: Trendy and Skincare Selections

These websites focus on clothing, accessories, and beauty products. You can discover the latest fashion trends and buy professional skincare items.

• Product Range: Trendy apparel, shoes and bags, luxury discounts, cosmetics, skincare.
• Representative Websites: Shein, Sephora, Coach Outlet.
• Suitable For: You who value personal image and love fashion and beauty.

Niche Specialty: Meeting Specific Needs

Shopping Tip: These websites solve specialized needs for specific groups, often bringing unexpected surprises.

These platforms serve specific markets or needs. For example, you can buy authentic Asian groceries or find unique handmade items. These five categories clearly show the positioning of these 21 shopping websites, making your choices more precise.

• Product Range: Asian snacks and fresh groceries, Chinese kitchen appliances, original designs, second-hand goods, etc.
• Representative Websites: Weee!, Etsy, eBay.
• Suitable For: You with specific shopping goals, such as finding hometown flavors or buying unique gifts.

General Merchandise Website Reviews

General merchandise websites are your starting point for online shopping. They are like huge online shopping centers with a vast array of products, from daily groceries to the latest electronics. Among the 21 shopping websites reviewed this time, this category is your best choice for “one-stop shopping.”

Amazon - The Everything Store

Amazon is the absolute leader in US e-commerce. If you can only choose one shopping website, it is likely this one. Amazon’s market share leads by far, almost an unavoidable platform for online shopping.

According to 2024 data, the market share distribution of major US e-commerce platforms clearly shows Amazon’s dominance:

2025 Prime Membership Core Benefits

Amazon’s Prime membership service is key to its success. It integrates shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle benefits.

• Delivery Benefits: Over 300 million items enjoy free fast delivery, with tens of millions supporting same-day or next-day arrival.
• Shopping Benefits: You can get exclusive discounts during Prime Day and other member-exclusive promotions, and access “Lightning Deals” 30 minutes early.
• Entertainment Benefits: You can watch Prime Video shows for free, listen to Amazon Music songs and podcasts, and enjoy free games from Prime Gaming.
• Lifestyle Benefits: Membership includes free Grubhub+ (valued at $120/year), exempting delivery fees for food orders.

Shopping Tip: If you shop on Amazon more than a few times a year or frequently use its streaming services, Prime membership ($139/year) is usually worth it. You can fully utilize Prime Day and exclusive discounts to easily recoup the annual fee.

Walmart - Preferred for Daily Purchases

Walmart is the largest US offline retailer, and its online platform is equally strong, especially in fresh groceries and daily necessities. If you pursue ultimate value for money, Walmart is your top choice.

In 2025, Walmart holds 31.6% share in the digital grocery market, exceeding Amazon’s 22.6%. This benefits from its vast physical store network, with over 4,600 stores transformed into fulfillment centers, covering 93% of US households within 24 hours.

Walmart+ Membership vs. Amazon Prime

• Price Advantage: Walmart+ membership annual fee is $98, significantly lower than Amazon Prime’s $139.
• Delivery Speed: Walmart offers “Express” service with arrival as fast as 3 hours, meeting your ultimate speed needs.
• Core Services: Membership also enjoys unlimited free delivery (with minimum order), fuel discounts, and other benefits.

Shopping Tip: If you need to buy fresh food and daily necessities weekly, Walmart+ membership can save you significant time and money. Its price advantage is highly attractive for budget-conscious shoppers.

Target - Quality Lifestyle Platform

Target cleverly positions itself between Amazon’s “everything” and Walmart’s “low price.” It attracts many consumers valuing lifestyle aesthetics by offering more stylish and higher-quality products.

Target’s uniqueness lies in its carefully curated exclusive private brands and designer collaborations.

• Fashion Home: Brands like Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia and Studio McGee provide stylish and tasteful home decorations.
• High-Quality Daily: Good & Gather food series and Up & Up daily necessities let you enjoy high quality while controlling budget.
• Designer Collaborations: Target regularly launches limited collaborations with famous designers, allowing you to buy designer pieces at affordable prices.

Shopping Tip: Download the Target App and join its free Target Circle membership program. You can get exclusive discounts, deal alerts, and accumulate rebates with every purchase.

Costco - Membership Warehouse Supermarket

Costco adopts a unique membership warehouse model, providing highly competitive prices through bulk packaging and streamlined product selections. To shop here, you need to become a member first.

2025 Costco Membership Types and Fees

Shopping Tip: Whether to upgrade to Executive membership? Simple calculation: If annual Costco spending exceeds $3,000, the 2% rebate ($60) covers the upgrade fee. For large families or small business owners, this is usually a worthwhile investment.

Macy’s - Classic Department Store Online

Macy’s successfully brings traditional department stores online. If you want to buy mainstream brand clothing, shoes, bags, beauty, and home goods, it is a reliable choice.

• Complete Brands: Gathers various goods from light luxury brands like Coach and Michael Kors to mass brands like Levi’s and Calvin Klein.
• Discount Activities: Known for frequent discounts, especially “one-day sales” and Black Friday with huge reductions.
• Beauty Section: Very strong beauty department, often with exclusive gift sets and GWP from major brands.

Overstock - Home and Discount Expert

Overstock focuses on home goods, especially discounted furniture, rugs, and decorations. Its business model is selling overstock and clearance items, so you can find many high-quality products far below market prices.

• Core Categories: Rugs, furniture, mattresses, lighting, and outdoor items.
• Price Advantage: If you are decorating or furnishing a new home with limited budget, Overstock is an excellent place for cost-effective large items.
• Daily Deals: The website launches new deals daily, worth checking regularly.

Home Improvement Website Reviews

If you plan to add new items to your home or make renovations, home improvement websites are indispensable helpers. They specialize in furniture, decorations, and building materials, offering massive choices for creating your ideal space.

Wayfair - Largest Online Furniture Store

Wayfair is the largest US online furniture and home goods retailer. You can think of it as a huge online furniture city with diverse styles and wide price ranges, almost fulfilling all your home fantasies.

• Massive Selection: From sofas and bed frames to rugs and lighting, Wayfair offers millions of items. Whether you like modern minimalism or vintage pastoral, you can find desired pieces.
• Inspiration: The “shop the look” feature is very practical. It shows professionally designed rooms, and you can directly buy all or part of the items to easily replicate ideal home styles.

Shopping Tip: Before buying large furniture on Wayfair, understand its 2025 return policy.

• Return Window: Most items offer 30-day return.
• Fee Responsibility: If the item is undamaged, you bear return shipping costs.
• Additional Fees: Some large furniture may charge a restocking fee, deducted from your refund.

Home Depot - DIY Enthusiast Paradise

Home Depot is the top choice for DIY enthusiasts. It not only provides various building materials, tools, and gardening supplies but also offers technical support through online tutorials and in-store workshops.

• Tool Rental: If you only need temporary use of expensive professional tools, Home Depot’s tool rental service saves significant costs.
• Project Guides: The website has numerous DIY project guides and video tutorials, teaching you step-by-step how to lay flooring, paint, or repair plumbing.
• Curbside Pickup: Order online and pick up at the nearest store parking lot within hours, very convenient.

Lowe’s - Preferred for Home Building Materials

Lowe’s is Home Depot’s main competitor, with very similar product categories. However, Lowe’s has its own characteristics, especially in appliances and outdoor patio products.

Lowe’s continues to offer strong price match guarantee in 2025. If you find the exact same item cheaper elsewhere, Lowe’s promises to match the price. Of course, this guarantee has some exceptions; check complete price match policy details on its official website. This gives you more confidence when buying home building materials, without worrying about overpaying.

Electronics Website Reviews

When you need to buy the latest tech products, electronics websites are your top choices. Whether upgrading computers, replacing phones, or adding smart home devices, these platforms offer professional selections and competitive prices.

Best Buy - Electronics Giant

Best Buy is a leading US electronics retailer, successfully combining online mall with offline physical stores. If you want to see products in person before buying or need immediate technical support, Best Buy is an excellent choice.

• Online-Offline Integration: Order online and choose quick in-store pickup. This mode lets you enjoy online shopping convenience and physical store immediacy.
• Technical Support Services: Its famous Geek Squad team provides full technical support from installation to repair, giving peace of mind when buying expensive electronics.
• Membership Program: Best Buy’s Total Tech membership offers extra value for high-frequency consumers.

Shopping Tip: Don’t forget to check Best Buy’s “Open Box” section. These are usually customer returns but fully functional products, priced much lower than new, a great money-saving opportunity.

Newegg - Favorite for Computer Hardware Enthusiasts

Newegg is a gathering place for computer hardware enthusiasts and DIY players. If you plan to build a computer yourself or need specific computer parts, Newegg’s professionalism and depth are unmatched.

Its core advantages lie in comprehensive product lines and professional community.

• Focus on Computer Hardware: Fullest selection of CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, memory, and drives. Product specs and user reviews are very detailed, helping informed purchase decisions.
• DIY Build Tools: The website offers a very practical PC Builder tool. You can select components online, and the system automatically checks compatibility, greatly lowering DIY barriers.
• Price Advantage: Newegg is known for competitive prices and frequent promotions (like Shell Shocker daily deals).

Shopping Tip: On Newegg, pay attention to “bundle deals.” Buying compatible parts like CPU and motherboard together usually gets extra discounts.

Fashion and Beauty Website Reviews

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Fashion and beauty websites are your stage to showcase personal style. Here, you can follow trends and find professional skincare solutions. These platforms focus on clothing, accessories, and beauty products, offering rich choices.

Shein - Ultra-Fast Fashion E-Commerce

Shein has become a giant in fast fashion with its extremely fast new arrivals and low prices. If you want to try the latest trends with minimal budget, Shein is a good choice. You need to have clear expectations for its delivery time.

2025 US Delivery Timeline Reference

• Standard Shipping: Usually takes 7-14 days to arrive.
• Express Shipping: Expected in 3-7 days.

When shopping, carefully check buyer shows and size info in reviews; this helps more accurate judgments.

Lululemon - Premium Athleisure Apparel

Lululemon is synonymous with premium athleisure apparel. Its success secret lies in unique patented fabrics, providing unparalleled comfort and functionality. Understanding these fabrics helps precisely choose products for your exercise needs.

Shopping Tip: Frequently visit the official “We Made Too Much” section. It sells discounted items, a good opportunity to get Lululemon.

Coach Outlet - Light Luxury Brand Discount Store

If you want to buy Coach bags and accessories at lower prices, Coach Outlet is your top choice. Items here are usually 30% to 70% off retail prices, letting you easily own light luxury pieces.

Coach Retail vs. Outlet Price Range Comparison:

• Coach Retail: $200 – $800 USD
• Coach Outlet: $50 – $400 USD

You need to know that Outlet sells some retail overstock and items specifically designed for Outlet production.

Sephora - Beauty and Skincare Authority

Sephora is a paradise for beauty enthusiasts. It gathers various beauty and skincare brands from mass to high-end niche, offering one-stop shopping experience.

Its core advantages lie in:

• Complete Brands: Almost all desired beauty brands can be found here.
• Generous Samples: Every online order lets you choose several free samples, convenient for trying new products.
• Membership Program: Free join Beauty Insider program; accumulate points through spending redeem products and enjoy full-site discounts during twice-annual member promotions.

Niche Specialty Website Reviews

Besides large general platforms, the 21 shopping websites reviewed include some focused on specific areas. They meet more specific needs, often bringing unexpected surprises.

Weee! - North American Asian Online Supermarket

If you miss hometown flavors, Weee! is your online Asian grocery store. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, and various authentic Asian snacks and seasonings.

Popular Items Overview

• Xiang Xiang Zui Spicy Strips
• COCORIS Fenansnow Cookie Series
• Rich Chocolate Pudding
• Mustard Spicy Snacks

Yami - Chinese Kitchen Appliance Expert

Yami focuses on meeting Chinese cooking needs. You can find kitchen appliances hard to buy elsewhere in the US, such as soy milk makers, fully automatic noodle machines, electric stew pots, and multi-function hot pots.

Etsy - Handicrafts and Original Designs

Etsy is a platform full of creativity and personality, gathering original works from global designers and artisans. If you want unique gifts or decorations, this is an excellent place. You can discover various popular handmade items, including:

• Handmade stickers and metal jewelry
• Paper art designs and stationery
• Home decorations
• Vintage clothing and shoes

eBay - Second-Hand and Auction Platform

eBay is the world’s largest online auction and second-hand trading market. You can bid for good deals or buy directly at fixed prices. To enhance shopping confidence, eBay further strengthened buyer protection policies in 2025, with longer return windows for some categories.

Wish - Ultra-Low Price Goods Platform

Wish is known for unbelievably low prices. You can find various novelty small items. However, you need reasonable expectations for product quality. Some items may have chemical smells or rough workmanship, but sometimes you can find surprisingly good value fun items.

Groupon - Local Lifestyle Service Group Buying

Groupon focuses on local lifestyle service discounts. It offers not physical goods but coupons for local restaurants, spas, travel activities, and classes. This is a good way to explore local life and save money.

2025 US Online Shopping Money-Saving Strategies and Promotion Calendar

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Knowing which websites to shop on in the US is just the first step. To become a true shopping expert, you also need money-saving tricks. This includes seizing best promotion timings and using various tools to maximize discounts. This section details 2025 money-saving strategies and key promotion calendars, helping you buy desired items with minimal money.

Seize Three Major Annual Promotions: Spring, Prime Day, and Black Friday

US e-commerce promotions run year-round, but three nodes are absolutely unmissable. Plan ahead to capture maximum discounts in these promotions.

1. Spring Promotions (March-April) Promotions in this period usually revolve around season changes and Easter. Focus on fashion apparel, outdoor gear, and home decorations. Although discounts may not match year-end, it is a good time to buy spring/summer new items.
2. Amazon Prime Day (July and October) This is Amazon’s exclusive shopping carnival for Prime members. In 2025, Amazon will hold two large member promotions, best time to buy electronics and Amazon devices.
   • Prime Day 2025: Expected July 8 to 11.
   • Prime Big Deal Days 2025: Expected October 7 to 8.

   Shopping Tip: Many Prime Day deals use “limited-time flash + member exclusive + stacked discounts” combinations. Add desired items to cart in advance and enable App notifications to grab at discount start.

3. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Late November) This is the year’s deepest discount shopping season, from “Black Friday” after Thanksgiving to “Cyber Monday” the following week. Almost all retailers participate, with intense competition.

Best discount days vary by category. Refer to the table to plan your shopping list:

For example, 2024 data shows electronics average discounts reached 30.1% on Cyber Monday, while furniture better on Black Friday.

Use Membership Programs and Student Discounts Wisely

Besides major promotions, leveraging special status saves significant money.

Membership Programs: Many brands have free loyalty programs, like Target Circle and Sephora Beauty Insider. Join to enjoy point rebates, birthday gifts, and member-exclusive discounts.

Student Discounts: If you are a student, congratulations; many US merchants offer exclusive discounts. Usually verify student status through UNiDAYS, Student Beans, or SheerID.

Here are some popular merchants offering student discounts:

Use Cashback Sites and Price Comparison Tools Well

Before clicking “pay,” one extra step saves more money. Cashback sites and price comparison tools are essential for online shopping.

• Cashback and Auto-Coupon Tools: These return a percentage cash after shopping or automatically find and apply discount codes.
  1. Rakuten: One of the most known cashback platforms, partnering with thousands of retailers. Shop through its links to earn cashback.
  2. Honey: Browser extension that automatically tests all available coupon codes at checkout for best discounts.
  3. Capital One Shopping: Similar to Honey, auto-applies coupons and offers cashback rewards.
• Price Tracking and Comparison Tools: These help judge if current price is worth buying.
  1. CamelCamelCamel / Keepa: Amazon shopping essential. Track product historical prices to see if current is high or low. Set “price drop alerts.”
  2. Google Shopping: Powerful price comparison engine. Searches show different retailer prices at a glance.

Cross-Border Payment and International Shipping Solutions

For you in mainland China, shopping on US websites may encounter payment and shipping challenges.

Cross-Border Payment Challenges: Many US websites do not support mainland China credit cards or payment methods. Even if supported, high currency conversion fees may apply.

Solution: Use new digital wallet services like Biyapay. Recharge with stablecoins like USDT to avoid complex traditional bank exchange processes and high fees. Then apply for a virtual credit card usable like a US local card on most e-commerce platforms and subscription services.
In practice, many users opt for platforms supporting virtual payment cards to handle these payment needs. For example, the virtual card application service from BiyaPay generates a USD virtual card suitable for major US shopping sites like Amazon and eBay, as well as subscriptions such as Netflix and Steam. You can recharge with USDT or other digital currencies for direct spending, bypassing traditional exchange rate losses and fees.
If unsure about current conversion costs, check real-time rates first using BiyaPay’s free currency converter tool. The platform holds an MSB license in the United States and FSP registration in New Zealand for compliant operations, ideal for frequent cross-border payments. Simply register with BiyaPay to apply and start using quickly.

International Shipping Challenges: Most US websites do not ship directly to mainland China or charge extremely high fees.

Solution: Use freight forwarders. They provide a dedicated US receiving address. Fill this address when ordering. Packages arrive at the forwarder warehouse, and they consolidate and ship economically back to mainland China, saving significant shipping costs.

Mastering these strategies and tools lets you confidently and cost-effectively start or optimize your 2025 US online shopping journey.

The core of US online shopping lies in two points. First, choose suitable platform categories based on needs, such as general merchandise or niche specialty sites. Second, remember 2025 key promotion nodes, especially Prime Day and Black Friday.

Shopping Tip: Combining cashback sites, price comparison tools, and major promotions maximizes discounts.

We hope this article’s reviews and 2025 latest tips give you confidence to start or optimize your US online shopping journey.

FAQ

Do I Need to Pay Customs Duties for Packages Shipped from US Websites to Mainland China?

Yes, your package entering mainland China may require customs duties. Duty amount depends on item value and category. Your chosen forwarder usually assists with customs clearance and tax payment, simplifying the process.

How to Return Goods from Mainland China to the US If Unsuitable?

You need to contact the seller for return authorization first. Then bear international shipping costs to send back. This process is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, carefully confirm product information before buying, especially sizes and specs.

How to Choose Suitable US Clothing Sizes?

Core Suggestion: Do not buy based on experience; always check the size chart.

US sizes are usually one to two sizes larger than Asian sizes. Best method is to view the size chart on the product page and measure your bust and waist for comparison. Referencing other buyers’ reviews is also helpful.