Global e-commerce sales will reach $6.86 trillion by 2025, showing remarkable growth in the digital retail space. The digital marketplace now connects 2.77 billion online shoppers worldwide. This creates huge opportunities for store owners who can leverage these numbers.

E-commerce industry statistics paint an exciting picture for 2025. Online transactions will make up 21% of all retail purchases. Three out of four consumers buy products through digital channels at least monthly. The shopping landscape continues to change as 56.1% of internet users make weekly online purchases. These numbers reflect major changes in consumer behavior that store owners must understand to stay competitive.

Online shopping continues to grow rapidly. Mobile commerce dominates the space while social commerce grows at 30% CAGR through 2030. Store owners need current e-commerce trends to build successful digital storefronts. This piece explores key statistics that shape online retail's future and their impact on your business strategy.

Top eCommerce Statistics for 2025

Online retail keeps expanding at a remarkable pace. Ecommerce statistics show extraordinary momentum as we head into 2025. Let's get into the key numbers that successful store owners need to stay competitive.

Global eCommerce sales to hit $6.86 trillion

Global ecommerce sales will reach an unprecedented $6.86 trillion in 2025. This shows an impressive 8.37% increase from 2024. The growth trajectory stays strong despite economic headwinds. Experts expect ecommerce to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% between 2025 and 2027 and eventually reach $8 trillion by 2027.

Research methodologies vary in their projections, with estimates ranging from $6.42 trillion to $8.30 trillion for 2025. Notwithstanding that, all data sources confirm the upward trend. This growth represents a remarkable 55.3% increase since 2021, which shows how online shopping has grown faster in recent years.

Analysts expect a 6.8% year-over-year growth rate for 2025, the slowest pace since 2022. This slower growth follows years of explosive expansion, especially during the pandemic. The ecommerce sector continues to grow substantially faster than traditional retail, even with this moderate pace.

2.77 billion people shop online worldwide

A staggering 2.77 billion people make up the global ecommerce customer base in 2025. One-third (33%) of the world's population now shops online. The numbers show a 2.2% increase from last year, which proves steady expansion in digital commerce adoption worldwide.

This number should reach 2.86 billion online shoppers by 2026. Projections suggest more than 3 billion digital buyers worldwide by 2025's end. Growing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and online shopping's evolution into a primary purchasing channel drive this continuous growth.

China leads the global market with 904.6 million online shoppers, while the United States follows with 288.45 million. These regional differences show both mature markets and areas where ecommerce businesses can expand internationally.

21% of all retail sales are now online

Online purchases will make up 21% of all retail sales worldwide in 2025. This marks the highest proportion to date and shows a fundamental change in consumer behavior. Digital channels capture a bigger share of global retail spending.

The move to online shopping follows a steady pattern that grows 0.32% annually since 2021. Current e-commerce industry statistics project this share to hit 22.6% by 2027. Some sources suggest it could reach 24% by the same year.

Ecommerce penetration varies across regions. U.S. ecommerce factored in 16.3% of total sales in 2025's second quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis. The U.S. ecommerce market grew 5.3% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025, outpacing total retail's 3.9% growth.

These statistics prove that ecommerce has become a core part of the retail world. The continued growth in sales volume and market share shows that businesses need a strong online presence. Companies that ignore this trend risk losing substantial revenue as consumer priorities favor digital shopping experiences.

Global Market Growth and Projections

Store owners who want to tap into international opportunities must understand how global ecommerce grows. The numbers tell us a story of an industry that grows faster across regions, even as older markets start to level off.

Annual growth rate and future forecasts

The massive ecommerce numbers we see in 2025 reflect a steady upward trend that keeps climbing. Research shows the global e-commerce market will grow at 18.9% yearly from 2024 to 2030. This growth will push the market from $25.93 trillion in 2023 to an incredible $83.26 trillion by 2030.

The next few years look bright too. Experts predict the market will hit $7.95 trillion by 2027. Research from Forrester suggests e-commerce will expand from $4.40 trillion in 2023 to $6.80 trillion by 2028. Some sources suggest slower growth—around 6.29% yearly from 2025-2030—but the direction points clearly upward.

Different regions grow at different speeds. Asia-Pacific leads the pack with 20.2% yearly growth through 2030, while Europe follows at 19.4%. The Middle East & Africa region might surprise many with its predicted 22.8% yearly growth from 2024 to 2030. Smart store owners should watch these emerging markets closely.

Comparison with physical retail growth

E-commerce gets lots of attention, but physical stores still dominate global sales. Brick-and-mortar stores grow at 18.5%, which beats e-commerce's 14.2%. Physical retail isn't dying—it evolves with digital commerce.

Americans spent $5.93 trillion in retail stores but only $1.34 trillion online in 2024. Physical stores will still handle about 80.8% of retail sales in 2025. The gap shrinks steadily though, and e-commerce should grab 24% of global retail by 2028.

Traditional retail sales grew by just 0.93% in 2024, while e-commerce jumped 8.64%. Online shopping took a bigger slice of total retail sales, growing 7.42% throughout 2024. Consumers keep shifting more of their spending online.

Top countries by eCommerce revenue

A few giant markets control the global e-commerce scene. China tops the list with $2.54 trillion in 2025, and the United States follows with $1.19 trillion. These two countries own 76.5% of global online shopping, with China's share at 50%.

The top five e-commerce countries—China, US, Japan, UK, and Germany—control 87% of worldwide e-commerce revenue but represent just 51.6% of world GDP. Japan holds third place with $166.85 billion in 2024. The UK comes next at $127.60 billion, and Germany rounds out the top five with $95.56 billion.

Asia-Pacific rules the digital world with 55.2% of 2024's turnover, thanks to China, Indonesia, and India. Five of the top ten e-commerce markets call Asia home, which shows the region's power.

New markets show exciting growth potential. India should grow 23.6% yearly from 2024 to 2030. Indonesia (11.0%), Canada (11.7%), and France (13.1%) show strong numbers in 2025. Brazil, Turkey, and Argentina rank among the world's fastest-growing markets. Online retailers looking for new territories should watch these emerging powerhouses.

Online Shopper Behavior in 2025

E-commerce trends in 2025 show fascinating patterns in how people shop online. Store owners can optimize their digital storefronts and boost conversions by learning about these behaviors. Let's get into the vital e-commerce statistics that shape online shopping habits this year.

Frequency of online purchases

Recent e-commerce industry statistics reveal that 34% of US online shoppers buy products at least once per week. Digital purchasing has become a regular part of daily life, showing a clear transformation in shopping habits.

Mobile devices lead this purchasing trend. Retail m-commerce sales hit USD 2.20 trillion globally in 2023, making up about 60% of all e-commerce sales worldwide. People can now shop anywhere and anytime thanks to mobile accessibility.

The pandemic changed these behaviors permanently. Consumers spent more online even as their overall spending decreased, with 37% reporting increased digital purchases. The digital transformation runs deep – 43% of consumers say they wouldn't mind never shopping in a physical store again.

Top motivations for shopping online

Price remains the biggest factor in online shopping decisions in 2025. About 70% of consumers look for cheaper products online, where price comparison is easier. Economic pressures make this even more important, as 56% of U.S. consumers live "paycheck to paycheck".

Convenience ranks high among shoppers' priorities. People love browsing, comparing, and buying from home. Free shipping proves to be the strongest incentive, with 90% of consumers naming it their top reason to shop online.

Trust elements shape buying decisions too. Reviews and ratings influence 71% of shoppers, and 68% value reviews that include photos or videos. Product availability, especially for items sold exclusively online, draws many consumers to digital channels.

Practical benefits attract many shoppers. They can avoid crowded stores, access detailed product information right away, and benefit from easy returns policies.

Most common reasons for cart abandonment

Cart abandonment rates stay high at 69.99% in 2025, costing businesses billions in potential revenue. Understanding why shoppers leave items in their carts helps improve conversion rates.

Surprise costs top the list of reasons. About 48% of serious shoppers abandon their carts because shipping, taxes, and fees cost too much. These hidden charges often appear at checkout, frustrating customers.

Other major abandonment factors include:

  • Slow delivery concerns (21%)
  • Credit card security worries (19%)
  • Mandatory account creation (19%)
  • Complex checkout steps (18%)

Website problems cause many abandonments, with 15% of shoppers leaving due to errors or crashes. Unclear return policies (15%) and limited payment options (10%) also drive customers away.

McKinsey's research shows that 90% of consumers abandon purchases with high shipping costs. Successful store owners now offer transparent pricing, simple checkout processes, guest checkout options, and better site performance. Free or affordable shipping has become vital to stay competitive.

Mobile Commerce Is Dominating

Mobile commerce has become the powerhouse of digital retail. Revenue projections show approximately $2.5 trillion by 2025. This figure will likely double in the next four years and cover 63% of total retail e-commerce. These ecommerce statistics show that online shopping's future fits right in your hand.

Mobile vs desktop usage stats

Mobile dominates the ecommerce world today. July 2024 data shows mobile devices drove 77% of visitors to ecommerce sites—a 4% increase from June. In the last twelve months, mobile traffic made up 76.83% of overall visitors. Desktop accounted for 22.17% while tablets trailed at 1%.

Mobile browsing continues to grow each year. Recent data shows mobile visits grew by 313% compared to desktop in 2023. This shows consumers prefer shopping on smartphones. Note that mobile traffic varies by industry. Luxury and jewelry saw the largest monthly traffic increase at 25.28%. This suggests people research expensive items on their phones more often.

Desktop users show different browsing patterns. They check out about 100% more pages per visit than mobile users and spend 37.7% longer per visit. This indicates they engage more deeply on larger screens.

Conversion rates by device

Store owners should know that more traffic doesn't always mean more sales. Mobile devices show lower conversion rates despite having more visits. The 2024 data shows tablets lead at 3.46%, desktop follows at 3.45%, while mobile trails at 3.08%.

Some sources show bigger gaps. Desktop conversion rates reach 4.8% while mobile sits at 2.9%. Many websites offer poor mobile experiences, and phones have more distractions and usability issues.

Cart abandonment data supports this trend. Desktop shows the lowest cart abandonment rates across all product types. Many shoppers still prefer larger screens and trust computers more for final purchases.

Mobile wallet adoption trends

Mobile wallets are changing e-commerce significantly. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal now handle about 60% of all digital transactions worldwide. The growth has been remarkable.

The generational adoption patterns tell an interesting story:

  • Mobile wallet payments grew 105% from 2019 to 2024
  • People using multiple wallets have increased. Users with four or more wallets are ten times more common since 2019
  • Gen Z uses mobile wallets three times more than Boomers
  • Urban residents trust mobile wallet security more (58%) than suburban (43%) and rural (38%) residents

Regional differences stand out too. Southeast Asia leads in mobile wallet usage—96% in Malaysia, 93% in Singapore, and 91% in Hong Kong. The UK saw 70% of online orders through mobile devices in 2023.

Mobile wallets will likely handle over half of all ecommerce payments by 2027. They're vital for any forward-thinking store owner. Convenient features, security through biometrics and tokenization, and smooth integration with digital passes create a mobile-first payment system that's changing e-commerce statistics for years ahead.

Social Commerce Is Exploding

Social media platforms now revolutionize sales channels, moving beyond simple networking sites. Global social commerce sales will reach USD 2.90 trillion by 2026. This growth represents one of the most important ecommerce trends of 2025, as users buy products directly from their social feeds.

Top platforms for social shopping

Facebook guides the social commerce world with its massive US social buyer base, which will reach 64.6 million in 2024. The platform remains the top choice for 89% of social media marketers. US social buyers confirm this dominance – 62% made their latest social purchase on Facebook.

TikTok grows faster than its competitors and will attract 117.9 million US users by 2025. The platform added 11.6 million shoppers in 2024, surpassing Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest combined. Young users flock to TikTok Shop, with 43.8% of US TikTok users making purchases

there in 2024.

Instagram excels in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories through its visual-first strategy. The platform attracted 46.8 million US social buyers in 2024. Businesses can tag products in posts, stories, and reels to create seamless shopping experiences.

Pinterest attracts 465 million monthly users who love DIY and planning content. The platform offers unique opportunities – 97% of searches are unbranded, showing users' openness to new products.

Demographics of social buyers

Gen Z and Millennials accelerate social commerce growth. Half of social media users aged 18-44 have bought something through these platforms. TikTok Shop particularly appeals to younger generations – 40% of Gen Zers (18-26) have made purchases there, compared to 37% of millennials and 14% of Gen Xers.

US social shoppers grew from 96 million to 104 million between 2023-2025. This number will reach 116.9 million by 2028, representing 49.5% of US social media users.

Men show more enthusiasm for social shopping than women. About 38% of men plan to increase their social media purchases in 2025, while only 27% of women share this intention.

Impact of influencer marketing

Influencer marketing serves as the life-blood of social commerce strategy. The global influencer market will exceed USD 22 billion by 2025. About 74% of consumers buy products based on influencer recommendations, making these partnerships a great way to get customer attention.

Different generations respond differently to influencers. Gen Zers make 32% of their purchases based on influencer recommendations, while Millennials follow at 21%. About 33% of Gen Zers bought products from influencer-founded brands last year.

Companies invest heavily in influencer partnerships. A 2024 survey revealed that 26% of brands and marketing agencies will spend over 40% of their marketing budget on influencer marketing. Another 22.4% plan to allocate 10-20% to this strategy.

Influencer marketing builds trust beyond immediate sales. Authentic influencer endorsements feel like recommendations from friends rather than traditional ads. These statistics show why successful store owners cannot ignore this powerful marketing channel.

Most Popular Product Categories

Product category trends show which sectors grab the biggest share of ecommerce spending in 2025. Clear leaders have emerged alongside exciting newcomers. These ecommerce statistics help store owners position their businesses better in the digital world.

Fashion and electronics lead the way

Fashion still dominates the worldwide ecommerce scene. Apparel generates most of the online fashion market revenue, while accessories and footwear make up much of the rest. The U.S. Apparel & Accessories category hit $108.19 billion in online sales during 2023, which was 35.2% of total combined in-store and online sales.

Shirts and tops rank as consistent bestsellers in fashion, with t-shirts being the most popular clothing item. Pants (especially jeans), dresses, and coats/jackets also sell exceptionally well.

Electronics continues to be another powerhouse category, and motor vehicle parts show strong sales numbers. The electronics sector thrives as consumers become more tech-savvy and comfortable with big online purchases.

Emerging categories in 2025

Health and wellness products are gaining steam in 2025. Vitamins and supplements consistently rank among Shopify merchants' top sellers. Herbal supplements have seen incredible growth, with sales jumping by 533% year-over-year as of June 2025.

The secondhand market grows faster than regular retail – three times faster to be exact. Experts expect it to double in value by 2027. This boost comes from buyers who care more about eco-friendly choices and good value.

Beauty and personal care products hold strong positions, as skin care and makeup remain top choices. Face serums have grown by 296% year-over-year by mid-2025.

Other categories seeing big growth include:

  • Fresh and frozen meat (425% growth)
  • Activewear tops and leggings (365% growth)
  • Collectible trading cards (334% growth)

Regional differences in product demand

Shopping behaviors change substantially across regions. European shoppers value quality and brand reputation more, which boosts sales in electronics, fashion, and home goods. Middle Eastern buyers lean toward luxury items and beauty products.

European markets show strong eco-consciousness, where 60% of shoppers make eco-friendly products their priority. Half of UK shoppers buy secondhand items, which shows this green mindset clearly.

Economic factors shape each region's buying habits. Most regions focus on essentials during tough economic times. Rich markets keep buying premium and luxury items whatever the economic situation.

City dwellers buy more electronics and fashion items, while rural customers go for practical goods. The Asia-Pacific region leads in mobile commerce, which affects how people find and buy products.

Smart merchants understand these regional differences and adjust their product mix. This approach can boost conversion rates by 30% through region-specific strategies.

Platform and Marketplace Insights

Digital retail's foundation today rests on platforms and marketplaces where buyers and sellers meet. The ecommerce statistics for 2025 show both market concentration and fierce competition among online sales platforms worldwide.

Amazon's market share and traffic

Amazon dominates the market in 2025 with a 37.6% share of U.S. e-commerce. This is a big deal as it means that other competitors like Walmart (6.4%), Apple (3.6%), and eBay (3%) lag far behind. The platform's global reach continues to grow and analysts predict it will overtake Alibaba by 2027, with yearly online sales potentially hitting $1.2 trillion.

The retail giant draws an impressive 2.56 billion website visits in 2025. Mobile users make up 59.52% of these visits, while desktop users account for 40.48%. U.S. visitors generate most of Amazon's traffic at 83.12%, which translates to 2.13 billion visits.

Users typically spend 11 minutes and 33 seconds on Amazon per session and view about 6.59 pages. Direct visits make up 67.09% of the platform's traffic, while Google organic search contributes 14.6%.

Shopify and WooCommerce usage stats

WooCommerce and Shopify lead the ecommerce platform race with their unique strengths. WooCommerce runs on 8.9% of websites globally and holds 12.5% of the content management system market. Shopify powers 4.8% of all websites and claims 6.8% of the CMS market.

Shopify leads the dedicated ecommerce platform segment with 26.2% market share.

WooCommerce follows at 20.1%, serving over 3.5 million sites with its checkout features.

Each platform shows different growth patterns. Shopify's store count tripled between March 2020 and January 2022 during the pandemic. WooCommerce maintains a steady 6% yearly growth rate.

Ad spend by top eCommerce players

Major ecommerce companies pour money into advertising to stay competitive. Amazon's ad spending reached $20.6 billion in 2022, doubling its 2020 investment. Alibaba Group's ad expenses nearly tripled during this period.

Health and beauty brands top the advertising investment charts, spending $1.68 billion on Facebook Ads. These companies put $554 million into Google Ads, while Amazon Ads ($142 million) and TikTok ($138 million) receive substantial budgets too.

Different platforms show varying results. Amazon Ads ($421 million) and TikTok ($393 million) have become optimization targets for ecommerce brands. Amazon and Google Ads delivered the best return on ad spend in 2024, with strong conversion rates and high average order values that make them ideal for revenue-focused strategies.

Emerging Trends Store Owners Must Watch

Three key trends will shape tomorrow's digital world as innovative technologies and changing customer priorities drive ecommerce in 2025.

Augmented reality in shopping

The US will see AR users grow beyond 100 million by late 2025, accounting for 32% of the population. This technology connects physical and digital shopping by letting customers see products in their ground environments before buying.

Big retailers now utilize AR through virtual try-ons and interactive 3D product views that ended up boosting buyer confidence and lowering return rates. Shoppers can visualize furniture in their homes or try on glasses, clothing, and even makeup using their smartphone cameras.

Sustainability and ethical buying

Customer awareness has moved dramatically. About 72% of global shoppers now think about sustainability during online purchases. This has grown from a brand differentiator into a core customer need. Cart abandonment due to sustainability concerns affects one-third of shoppers, rising to almost half for Gen Z consumers. Customers will pay 9.7% more on average for sustainably produced goods.

Their main priorities include:

  • Production methods and recycling (40%)
  • Eco-friendly packaging (38%)
  • Positive effect on nature conservation (34%)

Rise of subscriptions and loyalty programs

The "subscription economy" should reach USD 1.50 trillion by 2025. These programs give businesses steady revenue and boost customer loyalty. Subscription-based loyalty programs reward customers who stick to regular purchases.

This reduces customer loss and increases lifetime value. Programs with tiered rewards encourage higher spending through VIP experiences and perks. They build stronger brand connections. Subscribers enjoy benefits like double points, free shipping, and exclusive offers that create strong reasons to maintain brand relationships.

Conclusion

Global ecommerce sales will reach $6.86 trillion by 2025, connecting nearly 2.77 billion shoppers worldwide. These numbers show more than business growth. They reveal how people's buying habits have changed when they find, review, and buy products. Store owners must update their strategies since online retail now accounts for 21% of all purchases.

Our analysis shows several key trends that successful ecommerce businesses can't ignore. Mobile commerce generates over three-quarters of all ecommerce traffic. Desktop users still buy more often. This difference shows why businesses must streamline their mobile shopping experience to reduce cart abandonment.

Social media has become a major shopping destination, not just an emerging channel. Young people especially love to shop on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. These platforms work well with influencers to build trust and boost sales.

Product trends show both old favorites and new opportunities. Fashion and electronics still lead the market. Health products, used goods, and green items show strong growth potential in many regions. Smart store owners watch these market changes and stock their stores to match customer needs.

Platform choices keep evolving too. Amazon leads with over one-third of U.S. ecommerce sales. Shopify and WooCommerce help millions of independent stores run their business worldwide. Merchants who understand each platform's benefits can make better decisions about where to sell.

Future-focused store owners should watch three upcoming trends. AR shopping experiences, green business practices, and subscription loyalty programs give businesses an edge. Brands that accept new ideas early will gain market share as customers prefer innovative and ethical companies.

The numbers in this piece make one thing clear – online shopping has changed what customers expect forever. Businesses that spot these changes, understand the data, and use evidence-based strategies will succeed. Companies that don't adapt will struggle as customers choose convenient, customized, and purpose-driven brands on their shopping trips.

FAQs

Q1. What percentage of retail sales will be online in 2025?

In 2025, 21% of all retail purchases worldwide are expected to take place online. This represents a significant shift in consumer behavior, with digital channels capturing an increasingly large share of global retail spending.

Q2. How many people shop online globally?

As of 2025, approximately 2.77 billion people shop online worldwide. This represents about one-third of the world's population, demonstrating the widespread adoption of e-commerce across the globe.

Q3. What are the top motivations for consumers to shop online?

Price sensitivity is the primary driver, with 70% of consumers actively seeking less expensive products online. Convenience, free shipping, and the ability to easily compare products are also major motivators for online shoppers.

Q4. How important is mobile commerce in 2025?

Mobile commerce is dominating the e-commerce landscape in 2025, with mobile devices driving 77% of visitors to e-commerce sites. Mobile wallet usage is also on the rise, projected to account for over half of all e-commerce payments by 2027.

Q5. What emerging trends should e-commerce store owners watch?

Store owners should pay attention to three key trends: augmented reality in shopping, which enhances the online shopping experience; growing demand for sustainable and ethical products; and the rise of subscription-based models and loyalty programs, which are reshaping customer relationships with brands.