If you’re looking to shop early this holiday season, you’re not alone. Ongoing supply chain and logistic issues brought on by the pandemic have many big box retailers encouraging consumers to shop ahead. And for many people, the online shopping has already begun.
Enter Amazon.
The pandemic has strengthened the behemoth’s grip on the e-commerce retail market, with the problematic company seeing a 220 percent increase in profit over the last year.
Taking into account buyers’ growing interest in both local and ethical consumption, you can see why many shoppers are choosing to ditch Amazon in favor of more sustainable (and often, more affordable) options. Yet for conscious shoppers navigating the upcoming holiday season, the retail giant’s reach and influence can be seemingly inescapable. That’s why we’ve compiled a helpful guide to get you started.
Check out our 2021 holiday shopping guide, featuring the best Amazon alternatives in every industry:
Books
A good read will always be a great gift.
Currently, Amazon’s sales account for 65 percent of all new book purchases made online. The trend paints a devastating picture for smaller online booksellers looking to provide quality titles to shoppers at affordable prices. Luckily, there are options.
Bookshop is an online bookstore whose sales support local and independent shops. Book Outlet and Thriftbooks are also great alternatives where you can find new and used book titles at heavily discounted rates.
Technology
Chances are, new gadgets and gizmos make up a good chunk of your holiday shopping list. If you’ve been eyeing a new laptop, tablet or high-res camera, you may be able to find them on other electronic sites.
Newegg and Microcenter are two popular online retailers that offer computers and electronics with product selections similar to that of Amazon.
Hardware & Sports
From the avid DIYers to the active sportsmen, most of us have at least one hardware lover to think about this holiday season.
Ace Hardware is a national retail cooperative where shoppers can find tools, equipment and machinery. REI is a consumer cooperative offering sporting goods, camping gear, travel equipment, and clothing options.
Beauty
For the self-care lover in your life. Nothing says “I love you” like a relaxing at-home facial or the perfect shade of lip tint. If you’re in search of ethical alternatives to a variety of beauty needs, we’ve got you covered.
Lush is a popular bath, body, skin and hair care company providing shoppers with ethically-sourced, cruelty-free, and low-waste products. Credo Beauty also provides a large array of sustainable beauty brands and products. Love Goodly is a subscription box that includes cruelty-free, vegan, eco-friendly, non-toxic beauty offerings that are perfect for gifting.
Art
Gifters interested in more eclectic and artistic offerings can head over to Society6 and Etsy.
Society6 is an online marketplace featuring artwork from a community of 300000+ independent artists. Shoppers can find wall art, home decor and more. On Etsy‘s site, independent artists and crafters sell unique goods and crafts. Find anything from one-of-a-kind jewelry, to tapestry and sculptures.
Fashion
As the fast fashion industry attracts more heat for its exploitative nature, alternatives are popping up in the form of second-hand clothing shops and ethical fashion marketplaces. For the fair-minded fashionista in your life, these options are the perfect place to source a gift.
Depop and Poshmark offer unique, high-quality, and gently used garments, while ThredUp is an online consignment/thrift shop that stocks heavily discounted name-brand pieces.
A dive into Dressember’s Ethical Fashion Directory will connect consumers with ethical brands where they can find new, seasonal trends (They even have a holiday guide!).
Miscellaneous
If you’re not quite sure where to start on your shopping list, these online marketplaces are a good place to gain some footing. Offering everything from home goods to pet care and seasonal gifts, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.
Earth Hero is a sustainable e-platform aiming to make conscious consumption the new norm. On Package Free Shop, you can find a large variety of sustainable, green, eco friendly, plastic free products. MadeTrade offers fair trade, artisan-made, eco-friendly, and handmade products.
