Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
New York, United States
Last Updated: September 2023
NAICS OD5078Revenue
$36.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
29,649
Businesses
10,019
Wages
$X.Xbn
Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry analysis
The Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry in the United States has experienced substantial revenue growth over the past five years as demand for tablet computers and laptop-tablet hybrid computers has boomed. Additionally, a surging percentage of services conducted online and rising per capita disposable income levels have led to increasing e-commerce spending. E-commerce sales have risen at a significant rate as consumers continue to become more comfortable making purchases online. This trend was accelerated by the coronavirus in 2020 as temporary store closures forced even hesitant consumers to shop online. Altogether, industry revenue has increased at an expected CAGR of 7.9% to $36.2 billion over the past five years, including an expected increase of 5.1% in 2023 alone.Online retailers operate in a highly competitive environment as an increasing number of businesses begin to shift online. To remain competitive and generate sales, operators aggressively compete on the basis of price. As the market for tablet computers and laptops has begun to exhibit signs of saturation, operators have been prompted to keep prices low. Furthermore, the proliferation of increasingly powerful smartphones, which are not industry-relevant products, continues to threaten industry revenue. This competition between major players and growth in competing technologies has pressured profit over the past five years.Industry revenue is set to expand further over the next five years. Rising per capita disposable income and consumer confidence will establish a strong base of sales. Revenue from e-commerce is also anticipated to continue booming as traditional brick-and-mortar sales stumble. Combined with improving external conditions, product innovation and new technologies will likely further bolster industry growth. For example, external competition from smartphones will likely drive producers of shipments to decrease their size while increasing their efficiency to bolster demand for tablets. Specifically, two-in-one hybrid tablets and laptops are expected to grow in popularity. As a result, industry revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.6% to $43.1 billion over the five years to 2028.
Trends and Insights
- The coronavirus significantly accelerated the growth of the industry. With work-from-home arrangements and remote learning, there was a surge in e-commerce sales, causing higher demand for industry products as they replaced what would have been in-store purchases.
- The desktop computer product segment has declined over the past five years. As consumers increasingly favor portable tablets and laptops, demand for desktop computers has decreased.
- As with other e-commerce industries, the geographic spread of establishments in the Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry is not necessarily proportional to the population distribution. Online retailers rely mostly on warehouse space which tends to be located near major shipping centers and consumer
- Well-established large companies in the industry have heightened internal competition. Smaller players must differentiate themselves based on product offerings, price, quality or customer service.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 7.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $36.2bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The coronavirus accelerated growth
- The coronavirus had widespread consequences for global economies, impairing supply chains and accelerating the prevalence of individuals working from home.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Positive economic conditions will contribute to growing demand
- As the economy continues to grow over the next five years, improving disposable income levels and a greater sense of financial stability for consumers and businesses will support demand for industry products.
Biggest companies in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 | Profit ($m)
2023 | Profit Margin (%)
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon.Com, Inc. | 4,744.5 | 253.3 | 5.3 | |
Apple Inc. | 3,832.2 | 355.6 | 9.3 | |
Best Buy Co., inc. | 1,566.2 | 150.3 | 9.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Desktop computers, Tablets and Laptops, ultrabooks and hybrids. Desktop computers is the largest segment of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US.
Trends and Insights
Desktop computers have declined in popularity
- This product segment includes desktop computers.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Consumer Electronics Stores in the US
- Computer Stores in the US
- Office Supply Stores in the US
Complementors
- Computer Manufacturing in the US
International industries
- Consumer Electronics Stores in Canada
- Computer and Software Retailing in Australia
- Computer and Computer Peripheral Retailing in New Zealand
- Computer & Gaming Product Retailers in the UK
- Computer Stores in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in the Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry retail desktop, notebook and tablet computers via the internet. While most players purchase goods from domestic and international manufacturers and wholesalers, and then sell them to end consumers, there are also manufacturers that directly sell their goods to end consumers.
What's included in this industry?
Retailing computers via the internetRetailing tablets via the internetCompanies
Amazon.Com, Inc.Apple Inc.Best Buy Co., inc.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TABLETE-COMMERCEULTRABOOKIndustry Code
NAICS 45411 - Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The coronavirus significantly accelerated the growth of the industry. With work-from-home arrangements and remote learning, there was a surge in e-commerce sales, causing hig...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The desktop computer product segment has declined over the past five years. As consumers increasingly favor portable tablets and laptops, demand for desktop computers has dec...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
As with other e-commerce industries, the geographic spread of establishments in the Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry is not necessarily proportional to the population...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Well-established large companies in the industry have heightened internal competition. Smaller players must differentiate themselves based on product offerings, price, qualit...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Amazon.Com, Inc is the largest player in the Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry. The company has gained market share by offering a wide variety of price-competitive pr...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Amazon.Com, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Apple Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Best Buy Co., inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Amazon.Com, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Apple Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Best Buy Co., inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Industry operators must meet federal and state regulations regarding privacy, security, copyright and taxation. Additionally, the industry must adhere to all rules that are a...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The cost structures of operators in the Online Computer and Tablet Sales industry vary based on several factors. These include the company's downstream market, size and natur...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2016-2021)
- Industry Tax Structure (2016-2021)
- Income Statement (2016-2021)
- Balance Sheet (2016-2021)
- Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2016-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States is $36.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in 2023?
There are 10,019 businesses in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 8.1 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 7.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales market in United States are Amazon.Com, Inc., Apple Inc. and Best Buy Co., inc.
What does the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US in United States include?
Retailing computers via the internet and Retailing tablets via the internet are part of the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Amazon.Com, Inc..
How competitive is the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Online Computer & Tablet Sales in the US industry in United States.
