Online shop companies in London
50,599 online shop companies have a registered office in London, and 29,482 of them were formed in 2025 or 2026. In their latest accounts, the typical one held £2,740 in cash and owed £5,566 at year end.
The numbers
| Measure | London | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Registered companies | 50,599 | 162,689 |
| Formed in 2025 or 2026 | 29,482 (58%) | 51% |
| Being struck off or in liquidation | 4,453 (8.8%) | 10% |
| Typical cash at year end | £2,7403,082 accounts | £3,974 |
| Typical amount owed at year end | £5,56612,996 accounts | £7,594 |
| Typical number of employees | 113,407 accounts | 1 |
What this means if you’re starting one
Most of your competition will be other newcomers
58% of the 50,599 online shop companies in London were formed in 2025–26, against 28% of all companies in London. Nationally, that share of new companies is higher than 99% of UK industries.
New rivals are arriving faster than in most trades, so your customers already have fresh options. Being new is not a difference on its own.
Cash is tight in this trade
At year end the typical online shop company in London holds £2,740 in cash and owes £5,566; that cash figure is lower than 99% of UK industries.
Typical operators end the year holding less cash than they owe, so there is little slack if takings dip or a big bill lands early.
You can start without much equipment
The typical online shop company in London carries £1,024 of equipment and other fixed assets after depreciation, lower than 99% of UK industries.
Most of the cost of entry is time and running costs rather than kit, so a small test is cheap.
Planning a business like this in London?
Answer two questions about your customer and what makes you different, and get a free three-week plan to test the idea before you spend real money. No account or card.
Check my ideaWhat these figures can’t tell you
Companies are counted where their registered office is, which may be an accountant or a home address rather than a shop. Sole traders and partnerships are not on the register, and electronically filed accounts cover roughly 60–75% of accounts filed each year. The figures describe companies that exist; they cannot prove demand for your idea or predict whether it will work. How the figures are built.
Online shop in other places
- Ilford3,031 companies
- Harrow2,983 companies
- Romford2,495 companies
- Twickenham1,750 companies
- Southall1,713 companies
- Croydon1,293 companies
- Enfield919 companies
- Manchester6,584 companies
Other businesses in London
- Buy-to-let landlord58,233 companies
- Business consultancy53,051 companies
- Web design and software36,572 companies
- IT support or consultancy33,123 companies
- Dog grooming and other personal services27,298 companies
- Physiotherapy or therapy clinic13,528 companies
- Property management12,425 companies
- Hair and beauty salon11,516 companies