A book was ordered online for the first time on Amazon in 1995. Globally, e-commerce sales have exceeded $5.5 trillion in the past 27 years.
Retail has been revolutionized by eCommerce. As people’s needs have changed and online shopping has become more convenient, it has evolved to meet those needs. The capabilities of eCommerce were fairly limited when it started. That’s no longer the case. A variety of changes (among countless others) have transformed the world of eCommerce, whether it’s customization, enhanced return policies, or improved integration.
The eCommerce world will only continue to change in 2024. E-commerce isn’t just growing rapidly; it’s here to stay, so if you’re still on the fence, these latest trends will convince you. To ensure the steady growth of your online store, you can also incorporate these eCommerce developments into your business. Take advantage of these emerging industry trends in 2024 to grow your eCommerce business.
What makes eCommerce trends so important?
E-commerce is becoming increasingly competitive.
Trends must be monitored constantly in order to stay ahead of the competition.
No, You risk falling drastically behind if you don’t keep up with eCommerce trends no matter how mature your store is.
In order to succeed in the future, you need to keep an eye on the future. If you want to take advantage of these trends in 2024, you need to be aware of them.
This is why it’s crucial to analyze and adopt eCommerce trends in a timely manner. It is this way that you can drive the growth of your eCommerce brand, and remain ahead of your competitors.
The top eCommerce trends for 2024
Would you like to know what eCommerce looks like in the future? Are you interested in finding out what trends will shape your customer experience? Listed below are 10 upcoming eCommerce trends that you need to keep an eye on in 2024
1. Online shopping hits the gas pedal
The eCommerce industry has been growing steadily for a number of reasons. Shopping online is a popular online activity. According to eMarketer, global eCommerce sales are expected to reach $6.3 trillion in 2024, an increase of 12.2% year-over-year.
There’s more to it than that. It is expected that online sales will continue to grow and reach $8.1 trillion by 2026, roughly 55.8% more than in 2021.
The popularity of online shopping varies by region, even though it is one of the most popular online activities. Online shopping is becoming more popular as eCommerce stores become more popular.
There are a number of factors contributing to the increase in online shopping. It is undoubtedly the level of comfort provided to online shoppers that is one of the biggest advantages. In addition, online buyers have more trust when purchasing online, and their website experience has improved. There was a time when people were reluctant to buy things online, but that has changed. Additionally, websites have become much more user-friendly.
It’s no surprise that online sales are growing at an unstoppable rate because of all the comfort provided.
2. Digitally mature markets strengthen e-commerce
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on eCommerce trends in recent years, if not the biggest.
To combat the Coronavirus, governments worldwide closed stores and implemented lockdowns to restrict social movement for months on end. As a consequence, more and more people turned to online shopping.
Even after COVID-19, experts predict the impact of the Coronavirus on eCommerce will not just be a short-term boost. The benefits of contactless payments and the comfort and convenience it offers will cause a permanent behavioural shift toward digital purchases, both of which will cause people to get comfortable with them. Analysts predict that the Coronavirus pandemic will benefit the eCommerce industry the most. By 2026, global penetration rates are expected to reach 27%, up from 22% today.
Despite the fact that online shopping is already fairly widespread in some countries, analysts expect eCommerce adoption to increase there as well. It is estimated that US eCommerce penetration rates will increase to 31% by 2026 from the current 23%.
3. Shopping on mobile devices is on the rise
A notable development has been the growth of mobile commerce. The total sales made via mobile devices in 2021 were $359.32 billion. Approximately 44% of US retail eCommerce sales will be generated by eCommerce by 2025, reaching $728.8 billion.
There is no way to ignore these figures. Businesses can tap into a huge opportunity by improving the eCommerce experience for mobile customers.
Mobile devices have played a significant role in fostering eCommerce growth. Besides checking out online, consumers are also browsing or researching on their mobile devices before making a decision.
Increasing trust in online shopping leads to consumers feeling more comfortable shopping on mobile devices. The internet and computers have become part of the daily lives of millennials and Gen Z consumers, who have grown up around them. Mobile devices are also more common among these generations when it comes to shopping online. Your website and online store should be mobile-friendly, as more and more websites are now designed for mobile use. In this way, you make eCommerce easier to use for a broader audience.
4. The business landscape is being transformed by young consumers
There has been a shift towards online shopping among consumers of all ages in recent years. One group, however, increasingly purchases goods online: young people. 80% of young consumers aged 25 to 40 conduct most of their shopping online, according to a survey.
Young consumers prefer online shopping for saving money and finding great deals, but they also appreciate a smooth checkout process and product recommendations.
To increase sales, eCommerce business owners should target the younger generation in the future. Take advantage of social media marketing by increasing your efforts. Young consumers are more likely than any other age group to discover independent brands via social media.
5. Social media’s role in e-commerce is evolving
As well as social shoppers, the number of online shoppers is growing rapidly. Social media is playing a significant role in eCommerce, with the introduction of Facebook and Instagram. Our daily lives have been changed by social media, including how we buy things. Getting discovered on social media is one of the best ways for brands to improve their position. The growing popularity of social media has made it easier for eCommerce businesses to get in front of their targeted audience through Instagram influencers.
Additionally, people can buy directly from businesses via social media sites through eCommerce platforms such as Shopify. The features of Instagram and Facebook, for instance, are constantly being updated to meet the comfort needs of online shoppers.
Lastly, who can ignore TikTok-the latest and greatest social media craze making its way into teens’ hearts and even Hollywood’s?
As part of its efforts to incorporate eCommerce elements, the video-sharing app has introduced Shoppable Ads. Fully automated creatives and smarter, more advanced targeting will help brands reach TikTok audiences who are most likely to convert. As well as this, TikTok offers store owners the option of selling directly through the app.
As people scroll through their feeds on these social media platforms, brands can find inspiration and be discovered. The power of social media to influence eCommerce trends will only grow as it becomes an increasingly integral part of our daily lives. Therefore, brands should focus their social media strategy on shopping.
6. Buyers are influenced by environmental topics
There is an increase in green consumerism, and brands need to respond. The environment influences the decision of three out of ten consumers to purchase from a company. In order for your business to be more sustainable, you need to create more sustainable practices. Nowadays, consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever before, and for the right reasons.
Environmentally friendly practices need to be implemented by online businesses. In order to create a greener eCommerce environment, fair-trade organizations are used to source products. In order to achieve greener consumption habits, millennials are paving the way. There is an increasing demand for brands to take care of the environment, whether it be free-range meat or vegan skin care products.
7. Shop with businesses that align with your values
Consumers’ shopping habits and brand preferences have also changed as a result of online shopping.
Consumers are increasingly interested in brands’ values, aside from sustainability and environmental practices. According to a survey of consumers, 82 percent want their values to align with these values.
In addition, three-quarters of consumers surveyed said they had left a brand over conflicting values.
You can position your brand to align with your customers’ values if you want to delight and retain them.
8. Our shopping habits are being transformed by virtual reality (VR)
By 2024, there are estimated to be 65.9 million VR users in the US. A creative and innovative eCommerce storefront will drive VR adoption among consumers. People have concerned about shopping online because they cannot see the product in person. This gap can be bridged by VR technology which allows online shoppers to see products more clearly.
This could change the game for eCommerce businesses. Customers’ perceptions of products can be changed by VR/AR experiences. It is easier for them to understand if your products meet their needs if you showcase them in virtual reality.
VR/AR is already being used by some eCommerce brands to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The improved brand recall will be achieved by providing more personalized shopping experiences. In addition to improving customer experiences, companies are using virtual reality to allow shoppers to test and explore products the same way they would when shopping in person.
9. The future is personalization
Customers are more likely to stay loyal to your brand when they have a personalized shopping experience. Retail brands that offer personalized experiences are likely to attract repeat customers, with 49% saying they would like to experience such a service.
Online shopping experiences can be improved by investing in personalization tactics on eCommerce sites. Personalized messages could be sent via email, or consumer groups could be provided with the right information.
Your customers will be more loyal if you provide personalized communications, provide relevant discounts, and engage with them through video content, for instance.
10. The rise of visual commerce
Selling your product online to consumers who have no chance of physically touching it is one of the many challenges of running an eCommerce store. Visual commerce plays a key role in this process.
In, a nutshell, visual commerce is the next step up from static graphics. Rather than simply using product photos to market your business, it incorporates consumer-generated media, interactive content, engaging videos, and augmented reality, among other types of visuals.
On a regular basis, approximately 75% of internet users in the US search for visual content before purchasing something. There are only a handful of people (3%) who do not.
Developing your eCommerce strategy for 2024
These eCommerce trends in 2024 will help you keep up with the advancement in technology and changes in consumer behaviour. Make sure you adopt the eCommerce trend that will improve the shopping experience for your customers and help you build a long-term relationship.
Make sure your eCommerce evolution is side-by-side with these eCommerce trends and take advantage of them. For more information connect with us.