Play.com
|
Type of site
|
Retail |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Rakuten |
| Slogan(s) | "Shopping is entertainment" |
| Website | www |
| Alexa rank |
 8,624 (February 2015[update]) |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Required for purchases |
| Launched | 1998 (as Play.com) |
| Current status | Online |
Rakuten.co.uk is a website owned by Rakuten, that operates as an online marketplace. The website does not sell any products directly, but instead allows third party sellers to sell their products. The website replaced Play.com, which was originally established in Jersey as an online retailer of entertainment products including DVDs and music, which subsequently expanded its product offering.
Rakuten purchased Play.com in 2011, and in 2013 the company switched to its new marketplace format following a change in the law covering tax for companies operating in Jersey and selling to consumers on the UK mainland.
The Play.com website was replaced by Rakuten.co.uk on March 23, 2015.
Play.com was founded in 1998 under the name Play247.com, but rebranded as Play.com in 2000. Play.com originally sold region 1 and 2 DVDs only, but since expanded its range to include CDs and video games and other electronic items. In 2004 it began to sell books and electronics, in 2006 it started selling personal computers, posters and T-shirts and in 2007 it started selling HD DVDs and Blu-rays, with sister site PlayUSA.com selling region 1 DVDs, HD DVDs and region A Blu-ray Discs and offering sales in a range of currencies. The site's interface was redesigned on a number of occasions.
Play.com was ranked second on the November 2006 UK "Hot Shops List" compiled by IMRG and Hitwise.
In 2008, Play.com started selling DRM-free MP3s, clothing, accessories, and tickets for events, allowing customers to buy and sell tickets. They also held a consumer games show which was open to the public, with tickets available through Play.com. This event was backed by Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Activision, and THQ among others.
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