2025 eCommerce Statistics: Key Insights for Online Success

If you’re still on the fence about starting an eCommerce business, now is the time to fully commit. With online shopping showing no signs of slowing down, it’s one of the best ways to make money online today.

2025 eCommerce Statistics: Key Findings

Here are the top seven eCommerce statistics from our study that illustrate the current state of the industry:

Over a third of customers spent less than $200 on online purchases.
49% of customers start and end their shopping journeys on retailer websites or apps.
Over half of customers prioritize fast and reliable shipping.
47% of customers seek assistance via live chat.
Smartphones are the top choice for online shopping among 70% of shoppers.
High prices are the top reason for cart abandonment, affecting 45% of Gen Z, 34% of Millennials, and 32% of Gen X and Boomers.
24% of online shopping happens during the holiday season.

Most People Shop Online Monthly

One of the most obvious eCommerce trends is that almost everyone shops online frequently. About 85.6% of people made an online purchase within the last month, while 8.8% did so in the past 1-3 months. Only 5.6% purchased within the last 3-6 months. Many shoppers are also willing to spend a good amount each month, with 36.4% of customers spending less than $200 on online purchases.

Nearly Half of Customer Journeys Start and End on Retailer Websites or Apps

Between early and mid-2024, 48.8% of customers started shopping on general retailer websites or apps like Walmart or Amazon. 86% said they most frequently make their online purchases through these platforms. Search engines like Google or Bing were the second most popular starting point.

Most Shoppers Focus on Shipping, Security, and Price

Fast and reliable shipping is the most important factor for 58% of shoppers. Meanwhile, 48% value secure payment methods and multiple payment options the most, followed by 46.8% who prioritize competitive pricing and discounts.

Live Chat Dominates Customer Support Preferences at 47%

Nearly half of customers prefer using live chat to get help from a customer service representative. Phone support is the second most popular option but less preferred, with 21.6% choosing it.

Online Shopping Peaks in the Afternoons and Evenings

A whopping 69.6% of shoppers prefer using their smartphones for online purchases, while only 22.8% use a desktop or laptop computer. The preferred time of day for shopping is in the afternoons and evenings.

High Prices Are the Main Cause of Cart Abandonment

High prices lead to cart abandonment for 45% of Gen Z shoppers. The same goes for 34% of Millennials and 32% of Gen X and Boomers.

The Holiday Season Drives 24% of Online Shopping Activity

The holiday season, especially Christmas, sees the highest online shopping activity. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the second most popular special events.

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eCommerce Growth Statistics

This section covers global eCommerce growth projections and retail sales data to help with business decision-making. These eCommerce statistics are relevant for all online retailers, regardless of location.

eCommerce Sales Could Reach 23% of Retail Sales Worldwide in 2027

In 2023, eCommerce made up 19.5% of global retail sales. Forecasts suggest that online sales will account for nearly a quarter of global retail sales by 2027.

Global eCommerce Revenue to Exceed $6.4 Trillion by 2029

Global eCommerce revenue is projected to exceed $6.4 trillion by 2029, with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.49% from 2024 to 2029.

U.S. Retail eCommerce Sales Reached $271.7 Billion in Q3 2023

The U.S. eCommerce market is projected to experience an 11.2% growth from 2023 to 2027, while Europe is expected to see a 9.3% increase.

Around 2.77 Billion People Expected to Shop Online by 2025

As of September 2024, 2.71 billion people were shopping online. eCommerce user penetration is expected to hit 49.1% by 2029.

Consumer Behavior Trends

Understanding customers’ shopping habits can help you fine-tune your online store’s user experience for more sales and stronger customer loyalty.

Nearly Half of Gen Z Shoppers Are Prone to Making Last-Minute Purchases

Based on our study, 45% of Gen Z shoppers made 1-2 urgent or last-minute purchases in the last six months.

Nearly Two-Thirds of Consumers Shop Online Weekly

Our study showed that 62% of customers shop online once a week, and 29% do it 2-3 times weekly.

Personal Care Leads Top Consumer Purchases at 66%

Personal care items like skincare, makeup, and hair products lead the list of top purchases, with 65.6% of customers buying them online in the last six months.

Most Consumers Read Online Reviews Before Purchasing

Nine out of ten consumers rely on online reviews for buying decisions, with 54.7% of consumers reading at least four online reviews before buying a product.

Google Is the Go-To Platform for Online Reviews

59% of online shoppers use Google to find reviews, followed by Amazon with 57%.

One in Three Online Shoppers Prioritize Sustainable Brands

42% of consumers say sustainable materials are the most important aspect of sustainability.

Consumers Prefer Online Shopping to In-Store Shopping

24/7 availability, convenience, and discount deals make online shopping the go-to choice for 56.6% of consumers.

Mobile Commerce Statistics

The thriving mobile commerce market makes it easy for people to shop online using only their phones. It’s important to keep up with mobile shopping trends to boost sales via mobile websites and apps.

Women Are More Likely to Shop on Their Phones

75% of female shoppers prefer to use mobile devices to make purchases compared to 63% of men.

Worldwide Smartphone Users Are Still Increasing

Global smartphone users are projected to exceed 7.1 billion in 2024.

Global Mobile Commerce Will Account for 62% of Digital Sales by 2027

The booming mobile usage fuels global mobile commerce market growth in 2023.

Mobile Commerce Is Growing 29% Faster Than Traditional eCommerce

Global mobile commerce is growing at a rate of 29%, capturing 7% more completed payments than traditional eCommerce.

U.S. Retail Mobile Commerce Sales Are Expected to Reach $710 Billion by 2025

The U.S. mobile commerce sector shows consistent growth.

Voice Shopping Contributes $2 Billion in Consumer Spending

The accessibility of mobile devices has boosted global voice commerce.

Digital Wallets Expected to Dominate 61% of Global eCommerce Payments by 2026

In 2023, digital wallets made up half of all online transactions worldwide.

Key Factors and Challenges in Online Shopping Decisions

Let’s dive into key factors that affect customers’ online shopping decisions and the challenges they face.

Promotions and Discounts Drive 54% of Online Purchase Decisions in the Last 6 Months

Between early and mid-2024, promotions and discounts were the top reasons people shopped online.

Lower Prices Attract Online Shoppers to Buy Directly from Brands

Around 53% of consumers prefer buying online directly from brands for lower prices.

Live Chat Support Encourages 38% of Customers to Buy

Live chat can enhance brand loyalty, with 51% of consumers more likely to make repeat purchases on retail websites that offer it.

Better Prices Elsewhere Lead 26% of Shoppers to Abandon Their Online Carts

We’ve found that high prices are a major challenge when shopping online.

Shipping Costs Concern Men, While Unclear or Inaccurate Product Descriptions Put Off Women

High shipping costs and long delivery times are a bigger concern for men.

eCommerce Marketing Statistics

Creating effective marketing campaigns is crucial to staying relevant in the competitive eCommerce market.

Loyalty Programs Influence 83% of Consumers to Repurchase

Loyalty programs are effective for boosting conversions and retaining customers.

eCommerce Companies Are Investing in Personalized Email Marketing

We can expect 55% of email marketers to focus on personalization for higher engagement rates until mid-2025.

Almost All Businesses Use Video Marketing

In 2023, a staggering 91% of businesses used video as a marketing tool.

Videos Convince 82% of Consumers to Make Purchases

Video marketing benefits consumers just as much as online businesses.

One out of Three Small Businesses Don’t Have a Website

Creating a website is now easier than ever. However, 29% of small businesses choose not to create an online store.

Social Media Statistics for eCommerce

Did you know that social media users are expected to hit over 6 billion by 2028? No wonder social media is one of the go-to channels for online marketing.

Global Social Commerce Market Set to Generate $8.5 Trillion by 2030

The global social commerce market hit $1.2 trillion in 2023.

The U.S. Social Commerce Market Could Surpass $149 Billion by 2028

In 2023, the U.S. social commerce gross merchandise value (GMV) was estimated at $64.8 billion.

Social Data Helps 90% of Marketers to Be More Competitive

Most marketers agree that social media ramps up the competition.

Facebook Provides the Best Social Commerce Experience

In 2023, 23% of global consumers considered Facebook the leading social media platform for social shopping.

Sources

Oberlo
Raydiant
Statista
Techjury
Popupsmart
Sprout Social
Nosto
Tidio
Forbes
Wyzowl
Yaguara
Zippia
U.S. Census Bureau
MobiLoud
OnlineDasher
Klarna Insights
Brightlocal
Harvard Business Review
McKinsey & Company
Future Market Insights
Queue It
Marketing Charts
Research and Markets
Linearity
Social Shepherd
MobiLoud

Main Takeaways

The growing number of online shoppers is driving the rapid growth of eCommerce. With more people finding online shopping more convenient, opportunities to make money in the industry are greater than ever.

Methodology

The data for our study comes from a survey conducted by CXD Studio on behalf of Hostinger in August 2024. The respondents were 250 U.S. consumers who had purchased online in the past six months.

eCommerce Statistics FAQ

What Are the Top Challenges Faced by eCommerce Businesses in 2024?

eCommerce businesses must offer competitive pricing, as 26% of customers tend to shop elsewhere for better deals. Another challenge is meeting customer expectations by providing quality products, delivering them quickly, and keeping shipping costs reasonable.

How Many People Shop Online?

As of September 2024, 2.71 billion consumers worldwide shop online. This figure is projected to surpass 3.9 billion in the next five years.

What Percentage of People Use eCommerce?

At the end of Q3 2024, 34% of the global population shopped online, a 2.7% increase from the previous year.

At What Rate Is eCommerce Growing?

Global eCommerce revenue is expected to grow at an annual rate of 14.4%, according to Statista Market Insights. By 2027, the market is anticipated to reach $5.5 trillion in sales.

Who Uses eCommerce the Most?

In 2024, the fastest-growing eCommerce markets are in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. For eCommerce penetration, China, Indonesia, the UK, and South Korea take the lead.

Starter-Pack HTML Section

Jan 28, 2025
Jordana A.
17min Read
This article was originally written by Jordana Alexandrea, a Senior Content Writer at Hostinger with a background in Information Systems. She has over five years of experience in WordPress and is casually dabbling with PHP and MySQL. Her passion for writing and technology drives her to create tutorials for anyone wanting to build their online presence. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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