Merchant Category Leaders on the Web

Everyone knows that Amazon.com is the #1 online retailer today. But in terms of various product categories, here are the category leaders according to the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide:

• Apparel/Accessories - L.L. Bean
• Books/CDs/DVDs - Netflix
• Computer Products - Dell
• Flowers/Gifts - 1-800-Flowers
• Food/Drug - Drugstore.com
• Hardware &Home Improvement - The Home Depot
• Health/Beauty - Quixtar
• Housewares & Home Furnishings - Williams-Sonoma
• Jewelry - Blue Nile
• Office Supplies - Office Depot & Staples (Tied)
• Specialty (Non-Apparel) - Oriental Trading
• Sporting Goods - Cabela's
• Toys/Hobbies - Toys "R" Us

I would love to do an analysis of these firms and share any lessons that small businesses like us can learn from them.