The Internet Retailer
The Internet Retailer (ILLUCIO LTD) is a UK Shopify-based e-commerce retailer selling designer electrical accessories and lighting under its Trendi Switch brand, and also operates a marketplace agent service that lists and manages Chinese manufacturers' products on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo for UK, EU, and US markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersForest Row, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Internet Retailer does
The Internet Retailer, trading as ILLUCIO LTD, is a UK-based private e-commerce retailer founded in 2008 and headquartered in Forest Row (with a registered office in Heywood, England). The company operates a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer storefront at theinternetretailer.co.uk, selling designer electrical accessories, decorative lighting, and adjacent home products. Core product lines include the proprietary Trendi Switch range (modular light switches, plug sockets, USB sockets, LED dimmers, and swappable faceplates), alongside distributed brands such as Varilight, illucio, Gardi, and the recently added Mantra Lighting; portable air conditioners round out the catalog. Retail prices span approximately £3.95 to £15.95 per SKU, positioning the firm in the mid-market UK consumer electrical accessories segment.
The company runs a dual business model. On the demand side, it sells to UK homeowners, interior designers, and select commercial/hospitality buyers (named references include Lotus Garage in Dubai, a VIP Hotel, and The Collective Accommodation co-living), distributing through its own storefront and a marketing mix spanning organic social (X, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), SEO, blog content, email newsletter, and trade shows including the Autumn Fair at NEC Birmingham. On the supply side, it acts as a UK-based marketplace agent for Chinese manufacturers, providing listing creation, brand protection, account health, native-English SEO copy, and PPC management on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo for UK, EU, and US marketplaces, on a £250-per-product setup fee plus 3–5% commission on sales. Long-standing sourcing relationships with Chinese lighting manufacturers underpin a factory-to-consumer fulfillment model in which factories retain legal title of stock while the company manages UK warehousing and shipping.
Headcount sits at 11–50 employees, the company is privately held and bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding, and revenue is not publicly disclosed. Recent strategic activity has focused on Trendi Switch Generation 2 (launched July 2025), USB socket restocks, the addition of the Mantra Lighting brand, and ongoing expansion of its cross-border marketplace agent proposition.
The Internet Retailer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Internet Retailer
- Legal name
- ILLUCIO LTD
- Website
- https://theinternetretailer.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Internet Retailer (ILLUCIO LTD) is a UK Shopify-based e-commerce retailer selling designer electrical accessories and lighting under its Trendi Switch brand, and also operates a marketplace agent service that lists and manages Chinese manufacturers' products on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo for UK, EU, and US markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Internet Retailer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Designer Electrical Accessories Retail
- NAICS
- Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers (449)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Home, Furniture & Home Improvement Online Retailers (CRAFADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Connected Lighting & Smart Switches Retail (CRAIAMAB), Consumer Electronics & Appliances Online Retailers (CRAFADAD)
Keywords
Where The Internet Retailer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Forest Row
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Internet Retailer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- E-commerce Product Sales: Direct retail sales of electrical accessories including light switches, plug sockets, USB sockets, LED dimmers, and related products to consumers via their own online storefront. Revenue generated through one-time product purchases.
- Marketplace Agent Services: The company acts as a UK-based agent for Chinese manufacturers, charging £250 upfront per product for digital preparation, then 5% commission on products under £100 and 3% on products over £100. Services include branding, listing creation, customer service, and account management on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo marketplaces.
- Factory-to-Consumer Fulfillment: Connecting factories directly to consumers without middlemen, handling inventory management with UK-based storage and shipping. Factories retain legal title of stock while The Internet Retailer manages order fulfillment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Electrical accessory products priced individually from £3.95 to £15.95 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Marketplace agent services with upfront fee plus performance-based commission |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Internet Retailer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Internet Retailer is an online retailer of modern designer electrical accessories and home goods, with its core product line being the Trendi Switch range of screwless light switches, plug sockets, USB charging sockets, LED dimmers, and replacement faceplates. In addition to consumer retail via its Shopify-powered storefront, the company sells complementary brands (Varilight, Mantra Lighting, illucio, Gardi) and provides UK-based marketplace agent services that list Chinese manufacturers' products on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo.
Product overview
The Internet Retailer is an e-commerce retailer powered by Shopify, specialising in electrical accessories and home goods. The core product portfolio centers on the Trendi Switch brand—a modular designer electrical accessory system featuring light switches, plug sockets, USB charging solutions, LED dimmers, and replacement faceplates available in multiple colours and finishes. Complementary brands include Varilight (professional switches and dimmers), Mantra Lighting (Spanish designer lighting), illucio (decorative lighting), and Gardi (gardening tools). The company also stocks portable air conditioners and bundles. The Trendi Switch range operates on a modular design with interchangeable faceplates and modules (Gen 1 and Gen 2 compatible), while the Mantra Lighting collection offers pendant lights and luminaires. The business also acts as a UK-based marketplace agent helping factories list on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Trendi Switch: Modern designer electrical switches and sockets featuring screwless faceplates, interchangeable modules, and contemporary finishes including chrome, copper, and various colors.
- illucio
- Gardi
Products and services
- Trendi Switch brand range Designer electrical accessory brand offering modular light switches, plug sockets, USB charging solutions with interchangeable faceplates and screwless modern designs, available in colours and finishes including piano black, copper, brushed steel, and ice white. Sold to UK consumers and commercial buyers seeking modern aesthetics for residential and hospitality projects.
- Varilight electrical accessories Trusted electrical accessory brand offering rocker switches, dimmers, and specialist switches with neon indicators and various finish options (e.g., Vogue Slate with Brass). Sold via the Shopify storefront to UK consumers seeking professional-grade electrical accessories.
- Mantra Lighting Globally recognised Spanish lighting brand offering elegant and innovative lighting solutions including LED pendant lights for residential and commercial spaces, sold through the company's e-commerce storefront.
- illucio decorative lighting UK-based decorative and designer lighting fixtures brand with modern aesthetics, available through the store.
- Gardi gardening products Gardening collection featuring high-quality tools and equipment for outdoor maintenance and garden care, sold via the storefront.
- Trendi Light Switches Rocker-style light switches in 1-gang and 2-gang configurations with 1-way and 2-way circuit compatibility, 10A rating, 240V operation, screwless faceplate design, and compatibility with incandescent, fluorescent, and LED bulbs. CE certified and designed for standard UK back box installation.
- Trendi Plug Sockets UK standard electrical sockets in 1-gang and 2-gang configurations with 13A rating, screwless design, chrome switched outlets, and compatibility with standard UK back boxes.
- Trendi USB Plug Sockets Wall sockets with integrated USB charging ports in Type A, Type C, and combined configurations, including 2x USB Type A (3100mA), USB Type A & C combined, and 4-port USB variants with up to 2100mA output.
- LED Dimmers Advanced LED dimmer switches providing adjustable lighting control for LED, incandescent, and fluorescent bulb types with rotary and rocker configurations.
- Trendi Switch Faceplates Replacement and spare faceplates for Trendi Switch products in various gang configurations (1–8 gang) and types including light switches, plug sockets, USB sockets, TV sockets, telephone sockets, and blanking plates.
- Portable Air Conditioners Portable air conditioning units for residential and small commercial spaces, including 5000 BTU models with cooling and dehumidification capabilities such as the Status Saircon 5000 BTU 3-in-1 portable air conditioner with 24-hour digital timer, remote control, 2 fan speeds, and R290 eco-friendly refrigerant.
- Marketplace Agent Services for Chinese Manufacturers B2B service acting as a UK-based trusted agent helping Chinese manufacturers and factories list and grow on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo. Includes listing creation, native English product descriptions, SEO optimization, brand creation and protection, account health management, PPC setup and management, customer service, and UK-based inventory storage and fulfillment.
- Trendi Switch Bundles Pre-packaged bundles of Trendi Switch light switches, plug sockets, USB sockets, and faceplates designed for whole-room or whole-property upgrade projects at promotional pricing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Factory income can increase by approximately 25%+ through direct-to-consumer model eliminating middlemen
Companies that use The Internet Retailer
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Internet Retailer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Internet Retailer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and major.
- Autumn Fair NEC BirminghamsupportingThe company attended the Autumn Fair at NEC Birmingham, one of the UK's largest seasonal trade shows for home, gift, and fashion. This provided opportunities to discover new product ranges, spot emerging trends, and strengthen partnerships with suppliers and brands.
- Chinese Lighting ManufacturerscoreThe company maintains long-standing business relationships with Chinese lighting manufacturers, sourcing high-quality lighting products from China to meet customer needs worldwide. These partnerships highlight the role Chinese craftsmanship plays in the company's product offerings.
- ShopifycoreThe Internet Retailer operates on Shopify's e-commerce platform, which enables them to provide online retail services. Shopify handles hosting, payment processing, and provides enhanced features for the store's operations.
- AmazonmajorThe company helps factories and brands launch, manage, and grow their presence on Amazon UK and international marketplaces. Services include account health management, listing creation, brand protection, and PPC setup.
- eBaymajorMarketplace management services helping manufacturers list and sell products on eBay with native English product descriptions, SEO-optimized listings, and account management.
- Etsy, OnBuy, FruugosupportingThe company provides marketplace listing and management services across additional platforms including Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo, offering exclusive Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions across these marketplace partners.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Internet Retailer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Varilight: UK designer electrical accessories manufacturer offering rocker switches, dimmers, and specialist switches. Varilight is both a brand The Internet Retailer resells and a direct competitor in the modern designer switch category, making it the closest product-overlap peer.
- Lyco: UK online retailer specializing in lighting products and accessories. Direct peer in the online retail of lighting and electrical accessories, targeting overlapping consumer and commercial customer segments.
- ElectricalDirect: UK online-only electrical wholesaler and retailer owned by City Electrical Factors. Competes directly with The Internet Retailer's online electrical accessories offering, particularly for trade and DIY buyers.
- TLC Electrical Supplies: UK online retailer of electrical accessories, lighting, and consumer units. Direct channel competitor serving the same homeowner and trade customer base with overlapping electrical accessory product ranges.
- Scolmore Group: UK-based electrical accessories manufacturer offering Click and other decorative wiring accessory brands. Directly competes with Trendi Switch in the modular/designer switch segment for trade and consumer buyers.
Broad incumbents
- Screwfix: UK's largest trade and DIY retailer with extensive electrical, lighting, and accessories ranges online and in-store. A much larger incumbent with significant brand awareness, scale advantages, and trade customer relationships.
- Toolstation: Major UK trade and DIY retailer with electrical accessories, lighting, and tools across many stores and online. Larger incumbent competing for the same trade buyer wallet with broader product depth and stronger brand recognition.
- BG Electrical (Luceco): UK electrical accessories manufacturer and brand owned by Luceco plc. Sells wiring accessories, USB sockets, and switches through trade channels, competing with Trendi Switch's screwless and USB socket offerings.
- Schneider Electric (UK): Global electrical products manufacturer with UK presence offering switches, sockets, and smart home wiring accessories. Large multinational incumbent competing across consumer and commercial segments with much greater R&D and marketing resources.
- Wayfair: Global online home goods retailer with a UK presence. Competes indirectly across home improvement and home goods categories though with a much broader catalog and stronger logistics scale.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Internet Retailer social profiles
Digital presenceThe Internet Retailer compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Internet Retailer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Internet Retailer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Internet Retailer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Internet Retailer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Internet Retailer
What does The Internet Retailer do?
The Internet Retailer is an online retailer of modern designer electrical accessories and home goods, with its core product line being the Trendi Switch range of screwless light switches, plug sockets, USB charging sockets, LED dimmers, and replacement faceplates. In addition to consumer retail via its Shopify-powered storefront, the company sells complementary brands (Varilight, Mantra Lighting, illucio, Gardi) and provides UK-based marketplace agent services that list Chinese manufacturers' products on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OnBuy, and Fruugo.
Is The Internet Retailer a public or private company?
The Internet Retailer is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Internet Retailer founded?
The Internet Retailer was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Internet Retailer based?
The Internet Retailer is headquartered in Forest Row, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Internet Retailer make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. E-commerce Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are marketplace Agent Services and factory-to-Consumer Fulfillment.
Who are The Internet Retailer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Varilight, Lyco, ElectricalDirect, TLC Electrical Supplies and Scolmore Group. Broad incumbents are Screwfix, Toolstation, BG Electrical (Luceco), Schneider Electric (UK) and Wayfair.
Does The Internet Retailer have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Internet Retailer.
What industry is The Internet Retailer in?
The Internet Retailer's product category is Designer Electrical Accessories Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFADAE, Home, Furniture & Home Improvement Online Retailers, with a secondary code of CRAIAMAB, Connected Lighting & Smart Switches Retail. Its NAICS code is 449.