In 2025, 10 Ecommerce Trends Will Guide Online Retail

1, Using blockchain to create transparency and security. Concerns around fraud, data security, and buyer-seller trust are growing along with online commerce; blockchain technology can help with these issues.

Statista projects that the global market for blockchain technology will grow rapidly across industries, including e-commerce, from $17 billion in 2023 to over $943 billion by 2032. Blockchain improves transaction security, stops fraud, and increases online buying transparency by offering a decentralized, tamper-proof ledger.

Blockchain is already being used by brands for supply chain monitoring, safe payments, and smart contracts that streamline transactions by eliminating middlemen. Customers can use blockchain to protect their personal information, track orders in real time, and confirm the legitimacy of products, making online shopping safer and more reliable.

2, The popularity of livestream shopping is growing.

By fusing entertainment with in-the-moment shopping, live commerce is revolutionizing how customers find and buy goods online. Livestream shopping, which was formerly a specialized fad, has become a popular sales channel thanks to platforms like Whatnot, eBay Live, and TikTok Live. US livestreaming e-commerce sales will reach $68 billion by 2026, up from $50 billion in 2023, according to Statista. Brands are using livestream shopping to engage audiences, show off products in action, and generate immediate purchases as social media and e-commerce continue to combine.

3, The in-store experience is brought online via AR. The inability to view, touch, and fully experience a product in person before purchasing is perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks of internet shopping. Enter augmented reality (AR).

By the end of 2025, there will be over 100 million AR users in the US, accounting for 32% of the population, predicts eMarketer. Without a doubt, by bridging the gap between the real and virtual worlds, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are transforming the online purchasing experience. Large stores are now using augmented reality (AR) to provide interactive 3D product views and virtual try-ons, which let customers see things in their natural settings and boost customer confidence while lowering return rates.

4, Using voice search to turn up the volume.

Voice search is an emerging trend in e-commerce, which is not surprising given that 75% of US households will own a smart speaker by 2025.Voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, have revolutionized how customers engage with e-commerce platforms, such as BigCommerce and Shopify, by providing a comfortable, hands-free shopping experience.

Customers may easily search for products, make purchases, and track orders with just a voice command.As a result, a lot of e-commerce companies are making their websites voice search-friendly to guarantee prompt and precise answers to voice inquiries. Additionally, as voice technology develops further, its incorporation into the purchasing process will surely improve customer convenience and spur a notable increase in online sales.

5, Using consumer information to create individualized purchasing experiences.

Customer loyalty is fueled by personalization, according to study. In fact, according to a Google and Storyline Strategies study, 72% of customers are more inclined to stick with a business that provides a personalized interaction with them. It’s not enough to start an email with “Hi [First Name]!” to be considered personal today. It entails getting to know your customers, visiting them, and customizing each stage of the purchasing process to suit their tastes. Retailers are responding to consumer concerns about data storage and usage by offering customers the opportunity to “opt in” to personalization by contributing personal information. In addition to increasing customer trust, this also makes it simpler for businesses to adhere to consumer data privacy regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the GDPR in Europe, and to be open and honest about how they utilize customer data.

6, The digital experience is made more relatable through chat marketing. Even while chatbot dialogues used to seem rigid and robotic, new advances in generative AI have greatly enhanced how online buyers may engage with these tools.

These days, AI-powered assistants can efficiently and sympathetically simulate human speech to deliver prompt answers to questions, direct product searches, and enable smooth transactions. Chatbots expedite customer service while also cultivating customer relationships and brand affinity for e-commerce companies by providing real-time support and tailored recommendations. Chatbots will play a crucial role in generating leads, delivering tailored marketing messages, and increasing conversions as they develop further.

7, Mobile shopping continues to grow. Since many of us have a smartphone with us at all times, shopping is also becoming more mobile. In actuality, mobile commerce’s percentage of total e-commerce has been increasing and is predicted to reach 62% by 2027.
Online companies must therefore make sure their e-commerce websites are mobile-friendly and offer a consistent user experience on all platforms. This entails making material smaller screen-friendly, allowing one-click ordering, and providing additional features that facilitate shopping while on the go.

8, Offering a range of convenient payment choices to close the deal. Checkout is arguably the most important experience in the consumer journey. The slightest glitch in the process can result in a sale being lost forever. Flexible payment options are often the best part of the checkout process for many clients. In fact, if there aren’t enough payment options accessible, 13% of shoppers will leave their carts empty. Make an effort to offer a range of payment methods, including credit cards, one-click checkout solutions like PayPal’s Bolt or Fastlane, or digital wallet payments like Apple Wallet or Google Pay.In addition, you can offer financing options like buy now, pay later (BNPL), allowing you to connect your brick-and-mortar stores with your online store. By partnering with providers such as Klarna, Sezzle, and Affirm, you can encourage online shoppers to pay in installments without any added interest — leading to higher conversion rates, average order values, and sales.

9, Shopping with social activity.

In recent years, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have developed into more than just social media sites; they are now centers of social commerce. Indeed, 110.4 million consumers made purchases using social media in 2024, according to Insider Intelligence. These channels are growing increasingly customer-friendly as a result of the popularity of experiences like one-click checkout and live shopping, which make it easy for customers to look for and buy things. Furthermore, social commerce has a low barrier to entry, enabling online companies of all sizes to expand their customer base, build brand awareness, and provide a seamless shopping experience.

10, B2B consumers anticipate more contemporary buying experiences. The days of cold calling, offline marketing, and manual, paper-based transactions are fading. Customers look on B2B merchants for these similar experiences, just as the B2C market is always innovating.

Businesses now have a new option to shop online thanks to B2B e-commerce. For B2B clients, features like customer portals, customized shipping rates, tailored pricing, and reordering possibilities are becoming essentials rather than extras.