OnBuy.com has announced a significant transition in its corporate structure, moving its headquarters from Bournemouth to London and establishing a base in New York. This strategic shift aims to position OnBuy as a formidable global player in the e-commerce market, marking the onset of an ambitious phase of international growth.
In its recent financial disclosures, OnBuy reported a remarkable £44 million in sales for Q4, which translates to a 37 percent year-on-year revenue increase and roughly £19 million in gross profit for the year. The announcement highlights the firm's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance its operational efficiency and customer experience.
The company's rapid growth over the last year can be attributed to its early investments in AI. As the pioneering instant cashback marketplace, OnBuy connects sellers with a customer base exceeding 6 million. The firm has been recognised in the 2025 Sunday Times 100 Tech list as one of Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies. Integration of AI across all business operations has proven essential in this development, optimising both customer interactions and the retail experience.
Looking ahead, OnBuy's management anticipates a 30 percent increase in headcount within the next 12 months, a move projected to bolster revenue generation in 2025 as the company attempts to cement its market presence in key areas across Europe and the USA. Notably, demand for OnBuy's platform among international customers and retailers has surged, with a reported 30 percent day-on-day sales growth coming from significant European markets.
The establishment of new offices in London and New York is expected to facilitate access to these burgeoning international markets. Alongside existing locations in Bournemouth, Manchester, and Dublin, OnBuy aims to capitalise on the substantial tech talent available in these locations, furthering its pursuit of growth through innovation.
Cas Paton, CEO and Founder of OnBuy, remarked, “With innovation comes rewards. We are a prime example of a start-up that has completely transformed with AI, and as a consequence, have managed to grow while maintaining our headcount over the past 18 months. We estimate that our use of AI has saved our business in the region of £8 million – there is no doubt that becoming an AI-driven business has enabled us to scale further and faster than many thought possible."
He further emphasised, “Fundamentally, we are a tech business with AI at its heart. Bournemouth has provided a springboard for our business, but to become a leading global e-commerce platform, we must harbour the best tech talent in the world and continue to invest." Paton anticipates that 2025 will be a year of significant transition for the company.
Since its inception in 2016, OnBuy has positioned itself as a disruptive force in online retail, challenging established e-commerce giants with its unique cashback model. The company benefits from its status as a pure tech product, enabling it to maintain low infrastructure costs by leveraging the capabilities of partnering retailers and their fulfilment networks.
To support its ambitious international rollout, OnBuy has teamed up with Google Cloud. This partnership is expected to provide modern, scalable cloud infrastructure, enhancing the experience for both sellers and customers, lowering operational costs, and unlocking new revenue opportunities. The collaboration aims to improve operational efficiencies and provide a swift and secure checkout process, in line with OnBuy’s global expansion objectives. Moreover, the firm plans to introduce additional AI functionalities in the forthcoming months to enhance experiences further for both its sellers and customers.
Source: Noah Wire Services