This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.
E-commerce market research
U.S. retail e-commerce keeps setting records. In 2024, Americans spent $1.19 trillion online. Aaccording to the United States Census Bureau in Q2 2025 e-commerce totaled $304.2 billion, accounting for 16.3% of all retail sales.
Globally, according to EMARKETER, retail e-commerce is projected to reach about $6.42 trillion in 2025.
Let’s look at what leading players are betting on—and which trends will shape the industry next.
1. Efficient logistics and reduced delivery times
Amazon continues to lead the pack. In 2018, Prime Now produced delivery speed records – 8 minutes in Berkeley, CA, and 9 minutes in Kirkland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. Today, the scale and sophistication are even more impressive. In 2023, Amazon delivered over 7 billion items globally with same- or next-day delivery, up 65 % year-over-year, supported by a network of 55+ Same-Day Delivery sites and a highly regionalized fulfillment strategy.
That sounds like something out of Science Fiction. But look: In the fight for customer loyalty, online stores of the leading e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Bigcommerce, Volusion and other reduce delivery times.
2. Mobile sales
Mobile commerce continues to surge. In 2024, smartphones accounted for 72% of U.S. e-commerce transactions, and sales are projected to grow at a 12.1% CAGR through 2030, according to a Mordor Intelligence report. Total U.S. mobile commerce sales are expected to climb from around $360 billion in 2021 to approximately $710 billion by 2025, based on research from Amra & Elma.
In 2023 alone, mobile purchases surpassed $510 billion, making up 41.8% of all online sales. According to eMarketer, that share will rise to 43.7% in 2024.
This reinforces the importance of adopting a mobile-first design for online stores: optimized UX/UI, simplified checkout, and fast loading speeds are now essential for conversion.
3. Augmented Reality Technologies
Augmented reality (AR) has moved from novelty to a core driver of e-commerce growth.
According to a BrandXR report, nearly 60% of Americans will be regular AR users by 2025, and more than 90% of shoppers have either tried AR or are willing to use it when shopping online. Remarkably, 98% say AR helps them make purchase decisions, while 92% of Gen Z consumers actively want AR tools when shopping.
Gartner forecasts that by 2025, 80% of retailers will integrate AR into their customer experience strategies. Retailers who add 3D/AR product content see conversion rates rise by as much as 94%, while return rates can drop by up to 40%, highlighting AR’s ability to build consumer confidence.
Real-world adoption is accelerating: Wayfair’s “View in Room 3D” feature has tripled conversions compared to standard product listings. Similarly, research by REYDAR shows that 80% of retail brands are expected to deploy AR-enabled product visualizations in 2025, with AR shopping experiences proving 200% more engaging than static ones.
Consumer expectations are clear: a Lumus Vision study reports that 61% of shoppers prefer stores offering AR, 71% would shop more often if AR were available, and 40% are even willing to pay more for AR-enhanced products. By 2025, it’s estimated that one-third of U.S. shoppers will use AR when shopping online, with penetration reaching up to 45% in the Middle East.
4. Using Big Data
The accumulation and analysis of consumer data is a powerful tool to increasing sales. By tracking user behavior in the network, retailers are able to make accurate offers to their customers thereby increasing the chances of making a purchase.
Large online stores have already accumulated a large amount of data about their customers. Now the question is, who will learn how to use this information more effectively – it will give a noticeable competitive advantage.
5. Social commerce and user-generated content
Online stores have long used content in social media to attract a loyal audience. In recent years, online sales are increasingly merging with social networks.
On the one hand, social media are introducing more and more new features for sales.
Facebook is already testing Live Video Mode for Sellers and the ability to process payments directly to Facebook Messenger.
Several e-commerce features have tested by Instagram over the past two years – including shopping tags, Promote Ads, built-in payments, and even a separate mobile app for shopping.
On the other hand, online retailers and marketplaces learn to use user-generated content.
Everything started with the reviews, but they were not limited. For example, users can write reviews, tips, articles about products and how to choose them.
6. Artificial intelligence and real-time interaction with the client
The times when the online store support service could not respond to the customer’s request for several days will irrevocably disappear. Now, online retailers are increasingly relying on chat-bots to help and advice customers. They work around the clock and instantly navigate in large volumes of information about goods and services.
7. Integration of ERP Software with e-commerce
Internal processes of e-commerce retailers are also switching to total automation. Previously, entire departments of employees were required to interact with suppliers and track items in warehouses.
Now, more and more successful companies, adopted ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software for the management of core business processes. The most popular ERP software for e-commerce:
• Oracle JD Edwards
• Microsoft Dynamics family of ERPs
• SAP
• and other more ERP software solutions
Helpful Information:
Fully integrated with B2C or B2B e-commerce web-stores, an ERP software can power your business and move your online store to the next level.
8. Integrating e-commerce and CRM application
CRM (Customer-relationship management) system allows to collect, manage and use customer relationship data to improve your online business. CRM can eliminate lost sales, and help you build a loyal customer base.
Key e-commerce companies that run their business successfully on leading platforms for global trade, such Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Shopify, Magento etc., have already integrated their CRM with their online stores and enjoy the benefits.
Helpful Information: How to get more out of Salesforce with EDI Integration
9. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and B2B e-commerce
Last but definitely not least: your e-commerce business should be supported by EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). In many cases, it’s almost impossible to trade without using EDI. In B2B e-commerce, EDI has become mandatory for trading with the majority of big retailers such as Target, Walmart, Home Depot or Costco, because they work exclusively with businesses that meet their EDI requirements and comply with their EDI specifications.
What are the benefits of EDI in e-commerce?
- Reduced document processing time
- Works all over the world, does not depend on time and provides a fast flow of information
- No errors related to manual data input
- Guaranteed delivery of messages (due to notify the sender about documents delivery);
- Acceleration of logistics operations
- Security and confidentiality of information
- Reduction of costs associated with paper circulation
Helpful Information:
For the last 25 years, EDI2XML has been helping companies of all sizes with their EDI integration projects. We take care of all aspects of EDI “complexities” due to our fully managed EDI service, or EDI Web Service
Total Automation
Automation of everything that can be automated is the most important trend of our time. If you are looking to develop a high-volume e-commerce business, and you don’t yet have all the elements outlined, it’s time to start. We can help you with the most important part of e-commerce integration with ERP, CRM, and EDI.
Our “Fully managed cloud integration” service can solve all your integration challenges, and you’re your company achieve its business and technical goals in this highly competitive space.
Contact our team for a free consultation.
FAQ E-Commerce Trends
What are the current trends shaping the future of e-commerce?
The key trends include efficient logistics with reduced delivery times, a surge in mobile sales, the adoption of augmented reality technologies, utilization of big data, social commerce and user-generated content, artificial intelligence for real-time customer interaction, integration of ERP and CRM systems, and the implementation of EDI for B2B transactions.
How is logistics innovation impacting e-commerce delivery times?
Leading companies like Amazon are significantly reducing delivery times through regionalization, advanced warehousing technology such as robotic systems, and innovative services like Prime Air drones, enabling same-day or next-day delivery and boosting customer satisfaction.
Why is mobile commerce so important in e-commerce growth?
Mobile commerce is essential because smartphones accounted for 72% of U.S. e-commerce transactions in 2024, and this share is expected to grow further. A mobile-first design optimizes the shopping experience, leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales.
What role does augmented reality play in online shopping?
AR enhances online shopping by allowing customers to visualize products in their real environment, increasing confidence in purchase decisions, reducing return rates, and making the shopping experience more engaging, especially among younger consumers like Generation Z.
How does EDI facilitate efficient B2B e-commerce?
EDI streamlines document processing, ensures secure and error-free data exchange, accelerates logistics, and reduces costs associated with manual processes. It is crucial for trading with large retailers such as Target and Walmart, which require EDI-compliant transactions.
