Global retail sales are expected to reach $5.6 trillion this 2023. According to Michael Keenan, before the COVID-19 pandemic, sales from online purchases were only 17.8%. However, the pandemic fueled growth in retail sales which is expected to reach 20.8% this year and is predicted to further grow to 23% by 2025, translating to a 5.2% point increase in the next five years.
The rise of online shopping has transformed customers’ buying behaviors. With the continuous development of technology and changes in consumer preferences, e-commerce enterprises must be flexible and inventive to keep up with the pace of change.
As global recession arises, shoppers are anticipated to spend less due to financial difficulties. Despite this, e-commerce businesses can still strategize and position themselves for success by meeting customer needs and following important global e-commerce trends.
1. Social Commerce
Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can help businesses foster relationships with potential buyers and convert those relationships into sales. Successful social commerce strategies include partnering with influencers or other brands, utilizing interactive features, offering exclusive discounts and loyalty programs, and incentivizing referrals.
Platforms such as (Facebook) Meta and TikTok are also making moves to support small businesses through their online shops and e-commerce partnerships. Online sales statistics reflect the importance of social media advertising and direct purchasing, with over 70% of online buyers discovering products through social media ads and 30% of US buyers making purchases directly on social media.
2. Personalized Experience
Personalization offers customers unique experiences based on their interests, needs, and preferences which help brands build customer loyalty. According to Forbes Insights, approximately 77% of executives have seen a positive impact on sales due to personalization, while 58% of companies use personalization to improve customer retention.
To meet the growing demand for personalization, brands are expanding their range of tailored options for online purchases. One example of this is Starbucks wherein they demonstrated success by having more than 170,000 customizations available on their app. As a result, quick-service operators in North America and Europe are adopting a similar approach by expanding the level of choices or selections available on their own apps.
3. Adaptation of Web 3.0
Brands are pushing Web 3.0 to evoke all senses, including touch, smell, and taste which better replicate the in-person shopping experience. This year might be a turning point for consumers to become more accepting of Web 3.0 and brands become more adept at leveraging it for immersive experiences.
E-commerce is adopting immersive technologies like AR, VR, and the metaverse, to offer customers a more engaging and stimulating shopping experience.
These technologies, powered by AI, revolutionize how customers interact with e-commerce brands, delivering an unprecedented level of immersion. By leveraging these technologies, companies can create unique customer experiences that bridge the gap between online and offline shopping, thus increasing customer engagement and boosting conversion rates.
Ultimately, It is important to be attentive to these emerging trends that can positively impact the financial performance of businesses, which is crucial in the current competitive market.
According to a Euromonitor survey conducted in November 2022, 45% of professionals believed that providing a positive digital consumer experience was crucial to their success. It is now more critical than ever for companies to comprehend digital trends and changes in order to gain a competitive edge and offer better customer service.
