Ecommerce Statistics 2025: What Store Owners Need to Know Now

The ecommerce industry has reached a staggering $6.8 trillion and experts project it to hit $8 trillion by 2027. About 2.77 billion people worldwide now shop online, making these numbers significant for online store owners.

The latest ecommerce stats show remarkable growth toward 2025. Online purchases will make up 21% of all retail sales by 2025, and the global market will exceed $6.86 trillion that same year. Many shoppers, specifically 52%, search for products across international borders. This creates worldwide opportunities for sellers. More than 28 million ecommerce stores compete globally, so businesses must remain competitive.

This piece breaks down the key ecommerce figures for 2025 and their impact on your business. We have collected essential data about global sales projections and consumer behavior that will help you make smart decisions for your online store.

Key Ecommerce Statistics for 2025

The numbers speak for themselves: ecommerce statistics for 2025 show steady growth despite economic hurdles. Let's head over to the data that will reshape the online retail scene this year and beyond.

Global ecommerce sales projected to hit $6.86 trillion

Recent ecommerce stats show global online sales will reach a massive $6.86 trillion in 2025, with an 8.37% increase from 2024. Some analysts predict even higher numbers, with Emarketer expecting total global online retail sales to touch $7.40 trillion.

What does this mean for your store? The ecommerce sector will grab about 24% of total global retail sales, showing how online shopping has become part of everyday life. On top of that, it grows twice as fast compared to physical retail stores.

Revenue should grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 6.29% between 2025-2030, reaching $4.96 trillion by 2030. All the same, some experts predict a stronger CAGR of 7.8% between 2025-2027, which could push global ecommerce sales to $8 trillion by 2027.

2.77 billion people shopping online worldwide

These huge sales come from an impressive number of digital buyers. The global online shopping community will reach 2.77 billion people in 2025, about 33% of the world's population. This shows a 2.2% rise from last year.

Geographic patterns tell an interesting story:

• China guides with 904.6 million online shoppers
• The United States follows with 288.45 million digital buyers

User numbers in the ecommerce market will hit 54.3% in 2025 and should reach 56.4% by 2030. Emarketer points out that "The high-growth era for ecommerce is over in most markets", with slower growth expected in 2025 "due mostly to weakness in China's economy and trade-war-induced stresses in the major markets of North America".

The average revenue per user (ARPU) should reach $1,130 in 2025, showing strong spending power among digital shoppers. The total number of ecommerce users worldwide should grow to 4 billion by 2030.

21% of all retail purchases will be online

Store owners should watch market share closely. Online purchases will make up 21% of all retail sales in 2025 – the highest percentage yet. This share keeps growing, rising about 0.32% each year since 2021.

U.S. numbers show e-commerce made up 16.3% of total retail sales in the second quarter of 2025, with quarterly sales hitting $304.2 billion – up 1.4% from the first quarter. U.S. e-commerce sales grew 5.3% compared to Q2 2024.

Online shopping continues to gain ground. By 2027, ecommerce's share of retail should climb to 22.6% or maybe even 23%. This steady move from physical to digital shopping shows why a strong online presence matters so much.

Regional differences and economic uncertainties exist, but these ecommerce statistics show online retail keeps claiming a bigger slice of global consumer spending. This creates new opportunities and challenges for store owners in 2025 and beyond.

Understanding Online Shopping Behavior

The success of every ecommerce strategy depends on consumer behavior. Online shopping patterns keep changing, and store owners must understand their customers' buying habits to optimize their business in 2025.

34% of shoppers buy online weekly

US adults have embraced online shopping like never before. About 34% of them make at least one purchase every week. Women shop even more frequently – 42% buy something online weekly. One-third of Americans now shop online as part of their regular routine.

The numbers tell an interesting story. Only 6% of consumers say they never shop online. This suggests that e-commerce has become common across demographic groups. People now prefer the ease of digital transactions.

Global shopping patterns show people buy online about 2.9 times each month. Simple payment systems make a big difference. Shoppers who find online payments easy buy 1.7 times more often.

Price matters too. People who think online prices are better shop 1.1 times more frequently. So highlighting competitive prices can help boost sales.

99% of buyers check reviews before purchasing

Social proof shapes how people buy online. About 95% of consumers read reviews before buying. Studies show 84% trust these reviews as much as recommendations from friends.

Reviews work like digital word-of-mouth and help customers decide what to buy. They guide shoppers who browse without specific items in mind.

The numbers prove reviews' value. Customers spend 31% more at stores with great reviews. Products with just five reviews sell 270% better than those without any. On top of that, items with ratings get returned 20% less often.

Bad reviews serve a purpose too. About 82% of consumers look for negative feedback. Users spend five times longer on sites while reading critical reviews. This leads to an 85% increase in conversion rates.

Top motivators: free shipping, discounts, easy returns

Several factors drive online buying decisions:

1. Free shipping – A massive 89% of US online shoppers say free shipping affects their choices. Women care more about this (92%) compared to men (86%). This makes free shipping one of e-commerce's strongest selling points.
2. Fast delivery – Speed matters to 74% of online shoppers when choosing where to buy. The need for quick delivery keeps reshaping the scene.
3. Easy returns – More than half the shoppers (53%) avoid retailers without free returns. The experience after purchase matters just as much as before.

The data shows 67% of customers add extra items just to get free shipping. Smart shipping thresholds help increase average order values.

These ecommerce trends show how convenience, trust, and value drive customer decisions. Store owners who understand these patterns can better serve their customers' needs in 2025 and beyond.

Mobile Commerce Is Leading the Way

Mobile devices have changed how we shop online. Smartphones and tablets now serve as the main shopping tools for millions of consumers worldwide. The latest ecommerce numbers show that mobile commerce isn't just growing—it leads online retail in 2025.

Smartphones account for 73% of online shopping in the U.S.

Smartphones have become everyone's favorite way to shop in today's digital world. Mobile commerce now controls 73% of the global ecommerce market share, up from 59% in 2017. This shows how people's shopping habits have evolved.

The numbers tell a clear story—79% of smartphone users bought something online using their mobile device in the past six months. This behavior cuts across all groups, and 76% of U.S. adults now shop through their smartphones.

Store owners need to understand how people use their phones to shop. About 32% of Americans buy things on their smartphones weekly. This creates many chances to connect with customers. It's worth mentioning that wealthy consumers show strong mobile buying patterns—67% of them shop on their devices, and 63% buy goods or services regularly.

Age plays a big role in mobile shopping habits. People under 50 lead the pack with 91% making purchases on smartphones. The numbers drop to 69% for those aged 50-64 and 48% for people over 65. These age differences show why businesses need to adjust their mobile strategies based on their customer base.

Mobile ecommerce sales to reach $2.51 trillion

Mobile commerce continues its impressive growth story. Global mobile commerce sales should hit $2.07 trillion in 2024, rising 21.1% from $1.71 trillion in 2023. The numbers could reach $2.51 trillion by 2025.

The future looks even brighter. Experts predict mobile commerce sales will top $3.00 trillion by 2027 and reach $3.35 trillion in 2028. Mobile commerce should then make up 63% of all ecommerce sales—more than $3 out of every $5 spent online will happen through mobile devices.

U.S. numbers paint a similar picture. Mobile retail shoppers spent $491.10 billion in 2023, growing 13.8% from the previous year. Sales should climb to $604.50 billion in 2024 and $728.28 billion by 2025.

People spend more time on their phones too. U.S. consumers now use mobile devices for 279 minutes each day, up 24% from 225 minutes in 2019. This extra screen time creates more chances for mobile shopping.

Tablets have the highest conversion rate

While smartphones lead in total sales, tablets shine in turning visitors into buyers. Tablet users buy products three times more often than smartphone users and almost match desktop/laptop shoppers.

The conversion rates across devices tell an interesting story:

• Tablets: 3.1% conversion rate (10.7% higher than computers)
• Desktops/mobile: Both hover around 2.8%

Tablet users add items to their cart 11.7% of the time—21.9% more often than desktop users. This makes tablet shoppers especially valuable for store owners.

Tablet users spend big too. They shell out 50% more per purchase than smartphone users and 20% more than laptop and desktop shoppers. Mobile apps also win over websites with higher average orders—$102 versus $92. This shows why businesses should focus on their apps.

Smart ecommerce businesses need strategies that work across all devices. They should use each platform's strengths while recognizing that mobile leads the way in online shopping.

The Rise of Social Commerce

Social media platforms have grown beyond simple communication tools into shopping powerhouses. These changes are creating new possibilities in ecommerce statistics for 2025. The blend of social interaction and online shopping—known as social commerce—is changing how people find and buy products online faster than ever.

Social commerce expected to hit $2.9 trillion by 2026

The global social commerce market keeps breaking records. Worldwide sales will reach $699.40 billion in 2024—jumping 22.6% from last year. The numbers show no signs of slowing down. Experts believe social commerce will reach about $2.9 trillion by 2026.

Asia Pacific rules the global market with a 71.6% revenue share. The U.S. market grows at 32.4% CAGR from 2025 to 2033. Social commerce makes up 19.4% of global ecommerce sales now. This number should climb to 21.7% by 2028.

Market data shows businesses with social media presence earn 32% more revenue than those without. Shoppers can find, browse, and buy items without leaving their favorite social apps. This makes buying much easier.

Facebook and Instagram lead in social shopping

Facebook stands tall as the biggest player in social commerce. With over three billion monthly active users, Facebook attracted about 64.6 million social commerce buyers in 2024. Yes, it is true that one-third of social commerce buyers prefer Facebook.

Instagram, also owned by Meta, follows right behind. More than two billion global users make Instagram a visual powerhouse for product discovery and sales. The platform's success shows in the numbers—79% of people buy products on Instagram after watching reels.

People's shopping habits tell the story:

• 63% of Facebook users check the platform before buying products
• 63% of Instagram users research brands there before deciding to buy
• 62% of US social shoppers made their latest purchase on Facebook

TikTok gains ground quickly—TikTok Shop's sales passed $1 billion monthly since July 2024. Still, Facebook and Instagram remain the leaders in social commerce. North American affiliate channels rank second to direct traffic for average order value.

Young consumers drive social commerce adoption

Young shoppers lead the way in social commerce. More than half of Gen Z bought through social media platforms in 2024, beating millennials by eight percentage points.

The age breakdown tells an interesting story:

• 42% of Gen Z will likely buy gifts through social media (versus 20% overall average)
• 26% of millennials shop on social platforms
• 15% of Gen X and 6% of baby boomers planned holiday purchases through social platforms in 2024

Young consumers shop differently on social networks. About 53% of Gen Z bought products after watching review videos in 2024. On top of that, 74% of Gen Z shoppers trust micro-influencers to learn about brands and make purchases.

This goes beyond just buying—young shoppers change how people find products. About 43% of Gen Z start looking for products on TikTok instead of Google or Amazon. Right now, 39% of Gen Z and 43% of millennials make impulse buys directly on social media. These numbers show how social commerce drives spontaneous purchases among younger audiences.

Top Ecommerce Platforms and Market Share

Online purchases happen through platforms that power every transaction. A few giant companies rule the digital world of retail today. Thousands of smaller players compete for what remains of the market share.

Amazon holds 37.6% of U.S. ecommerce market

The ecommerce platform hierarchy stands 3 years old in 2025, and Amazon still rules as the undisputed leader. The company commands a 37.6% share of the U.S. ecommerce market, which makes it almost six times bigger than its closest rival. Amazon's dominance shows in numbers – USD 447.40 billion in online retail revenue from 390 million monthly active users.

Other players trail far behind. Walmart holds second place with 6.4% market share. Apple follows at 3.6%, and eBay captures 3.0%. Target completes the top five with 1.9% market share. All other platforms together make up 47.5% of remaining ecommerce activity.

28 million ecommerce sites globally

The digital retail ecosystem now has about 28 million ecommerce sites worldwide. This number grew 2.9% from last year. Each day between 2024 and 2025 saw 2,162 new ecommerce websites launch.

Recent data might point to even larger numbers. Q2 2024 shows closer to 30.7 million active ecommerce sites globally. These figures represent 25% growth from 24 million in 2022 and an 11% rise from 27 million in 2023.

The United States hosts half of all ecommerce sites worldwide. About 2.55 million online stores call America their home.

Shopify and Wix dominate store creation

Shopify leads the pack among platforms that power millions of stores. Shopify now controls 23-28.6% of the ecommerce platform market. Millions of businesses in 175 countries use this platform. High-traffic websites especially prefer Shopify – it dominates among the top one million sites.

Wix stands as the second or third most popular ecommerce platform, depending on who you ask. It holds about 13-20% market share. These two platforms together power about half of all online stores globally.

Other major players shape the market too. WooCommerce claims 18-20% market share. Magento (9%), BigCommerce (8%), and Squarespace (6%) follow. This mix of platforms shows how online retailers need different solutions for their stores.

Emerging Trends Store Owners Should Watch

The future of online retail looks different from today's ecommerce landscape. New technologies and business models will revolutionize how we shop online in 2025 and beyond.

AI and automation improving customer experience

AI-powered tools create customized shopping experiences at every customer touchpoint. Companies that use AI strategies see their revenue jump 10-12%. These smart systems analyze shopping habits and suggest products customers actually want. AI chatbots now handle 80% of basic customer questions and provide round-the-clock support while human agents focus on complex cases. Most shoppers (75%) believe AI will completely change their company interactions within two years.

AR shopping and sustainability gaining traction

AR technology changes how customers review products online. Experts predict the AR retail market will grow from $19.90 billion in 2024 to $64.60 billion by 2030. The numbers prove AR works – 56% of shoppers say it boosts their confidence in product quality. About 61% prefer to shop with retailers who offer AR features. Real results back this up: Gunner Kennels saw their conversion rates jump 40% and returns drop 5% after adding AR tools.

Subscription models and loyalty programs on the rise

The subscription ecommerce market keeps growing and should hit $246.60 billion by 2025. This approach gives companies steady revenue streams and builds stronger customer relationships. The average American now spends $219 monthly on subscriptions. Smart loyalty programs like SHEIN's game-style point system make customers come back more often. Their tiered rewards structure keeps shoppers engaged long-term.

Conclusion

The retail world is changing fast as ecommerce continues to lead the way. Online sales will hit $6.86 trillion in 2025, making up 21% of all retail purchases worldwide. The market is huge – 2.77 billion digital shoppers browse through 28 million ecommerce websites. This creates both challenges and opportunities for store owners like us.

Mobile shopping is without doubt the biggest growth driver. It makes up 73% of online shopping in the U.S. and will generate $2.51 trillion in sales by 2025. Any competitive online business must make mobile users their top priority.

Social commerce shows amazing potential too. Sales through social platforms will reach $2.9 trillion by 2026. Facebook and Instagram have evolved from marketing channels to full shopping destinations. This trend is especially when you have younger buyers, making social selling crucial for brands targeting Gen Z and millennial audiences.

The competition is definitely tough. Amazon rules with a 37.6% market share, leaving other store owners struggling to stand out. But platforms like Shopify and Wix have made ecommerce more accessible. Small merchants can now build professional stores without huge investments.

Customer behavior data gives us great insights to shape our strategies. Shoppers love free shipping, honest reviews, and easy returns. These features can boost conversion rates by a lot.

AI and augmented reality will likely change how customers shop in the future. Subscription models are a great way to build steady revenue streams and encourage customer loyalty.

Competition gets tougher each year, but these numbers show a thriving industry full of opportunities. Success comes to businesses that keep up with trends, quickly adapt to changing customer priorities, and focus on delivering great experiences across all digital channels.

FAQs

Q1. What are the projected global ecommerce sales for 2025?

Global ecommerce sales are expected to reach $6.86 trillion in 2025, representing about 24% of total global retail sales. This marks a significant increase from previous years and demonstrates the continued growth of online shopping worldwide.

Q2. How many people are expected to shop online globally in 2025?

By 2025, the global online shopping community is projected to reach 2.77 billion people, which is approximately 33% of the world's population. This represents a 2.2% increase from the previous year and highlights the widespread adoption of ecommerce.

Q3. What percentage of retail purchases will be made online in 2025?

In 2025, 21% of all retail purchases are expected to take place online. This is the highest percentage to date and indicates a steady shift from physical to digital shopping channels.

Q4. How important are mobile devices for ecommerce in 2025?

Mobile devices are crucial for ecommerce in 2025, with smartphones accounting for 73% of online shopping in the U.S. Mobile commerce sales are projected to reach $2.51 trillion globally, emphasizing the need for businesses to optimize their mobile shopping experiences.

Q5. What emerging trends should online store owners be aware of?

Key trends include AI and automation improving customer experiences, augmented reality (AR) enhancing product visualization, and the rise of subscription models and loyalty programs. Additionally, social commerce is expected to grow significantly, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram becoming major shopping destinations.