The “best” online shopping websites can vary based on individual preferences, geographic location, and the specific items you’re looking to purchase. Here is the 5 best websites for shopping online:

1- Amazon: Known for its vast selection, Prime membership benefits, and user reviews.

• Origins: Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 in Seattle. Initially an online bookstore, its success led to diversification into other product categories. By the early 2000s, Amazon became a leading e-commerce platform.
• Categories: Apart from the massive selection of books, electronics, clothing, and groceries, Amazon has its line of products including Kindle, Echo, and Fire devices. They’ve also entered digital streaming with Amazon Prime Video.
• Financial Data: Amazon’s global net sales exceeded $380 billion. Its continuous growth can be attributed to innovations, acquisitions (like Whole Foods), and service expansion.
• Headquarters: The main campus is in Seattle, Washington, but they have multiple offices worldwide.
• Leadership: Jeff Bezos, after stepping down as CEO, handed the reins to Andy Jassy, the former head of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Staff & Presence: With over 1.3 million employees, Amazon operates globally with fulfilment centres, sortation centres, delivery stations, and Prime Now hubs.

2- eBay: A platform for both new and used goods, allowing users to bid on items or buy them outright.

• Origins: Pierre Omidyar founded eBay in 1995 as “AuctionWeb”, a site “dedicated to bringing together buyers and sellers in an honest and open marketplace.” It’s evolved since then but maintains its auction roots.
• Categories: From antiques and collectables to cutting-edge tech, eBay offers diverse buying options.
• Financial Data: In 2020, eBay’s gross merchandise volume was close to $100 billion.
• Headquarters: Located in San Jose, California.
• Leadership: Jamie Iannone became the CEO in 2020, bringing with him a vision for the next era of eBay’s growth.
• Staff & Presence: By 2020, eBay operated in over 30 countries and had around 12,700 employees.

3- Alibaba/AliExpress: Based in China, these sites offer a wide range of products, often at wholesale prices or in bulk.

• Origins: Jack Ma, along with 17 other co-founders, initiated Alibaba in 1999 in Hangzhou to connect Chinese manufacturers with international buyers.
• Categories: While Alibaba is more B2B, AliExpress, its B2C counterpart, offers a plethora of products ranging from electronics to clothing.
• Financial Data: Alibaba boasted an annual revenue of approximately $110 billion.
• Headquarters: Located in Hangzhou, China.
• Leadership: Daniel Zhang took over from Jack Ma as Chairman and CEO, steering Alibaba’s growth strategy.
• Staff & Presence: With over 250,000 employees, Alibaba Group has a significant international presence, serving millions of customers and businesses.

4- Walmart: The online arm of the mega-retailer offers a wide range of products, including some that are exclusive to the online store.

• Origins: Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. With a mission to save people money, Walmart expanded rapidly across the U.S.
• Categories: A hypermarket, Walmart provides groceries, apparel, electronics, and more. They also have an online presence and curbside pickup.
• Financial Data: Walmart’s global net sales were over $560 billion.
• Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas.
• Leadership: CEO Doug McMillon has emphasized e-commerce growth, resulting in the acquisition of platforms like Jet.com.
• Staff & Presence: Operating in over 27 countries with more than 11,000 stores, Walmart employs over 2.3 million associates.

5- Etsy: A marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique items.

• Origins: Etsy was conceived in 2005 as a unique platform for artisans to showcase handmade or vintage items.
• Categories: The platform stands out for handmade goods, unique vintage items, and crafting supplies.
• Financial Data: 2020 saw Etsy grossing over $1.7 billion in revenue, with the platform particularly booming during the pandemic as mask sales surged.
• Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York.
• Leadership: Under CEO Josh Silverman, Etsy has emphasized boosting its search capabilities and marketing efforts.
• Staff & Presence: Though it had only 1,400 full-time employees as of 2020, Etsy supports a massive community of independent sellers worldwide.

Remember, the best site for you might also depend on what you’re looking to buy, your location, shipping costs, and other factors. Always ensure a website is legitimate before making a purchase, and check user reviews or ratings when possible.