Top e-commerce trends in 2026 and how small businesses can win

Key takeaways:

• The top ecommerce trends in 2026 are being shaped by artificial intelligence, voice search, mobile commerce, augmented reality, social commerce, sustainability, flexible payment options, subscription models, and user-generated content.
• Small businesses don’t need enterprise-level budgets to act on these emerging trends. Many improvements, such as better product descriptions, mobile-friendly pages, clear business information, review collection, and simple marketing automation, are affordable and easy to start.
• The most successful e-commerce businesses will use customer data responsibly, improve the customer experience, and make data-driven decisions based on real customer behavior, not guesswork.

E-commerce trends in 2026 are changing how small businesses attract, convert, and retain customers. Whether you run an online store, sell through social media, manage a growing e-commerce business, or support a brick-and-mortar store with online sales, the way people shop online is evolving quickly.

In 2025, e-commerce revenue reached $3.66 trillion, and that figure is expected to approach $5 trillion by 2030. E-commerce also accounted for more than 23% of worldwide retail sales in 2025, with forecasts indicating that online shopping could account for 25% of total global retail sales by 2030.

For small businesses, this growth creates both opportunity and pressure. More consumers are shopping online, but they also expect faster checkout, better product discovery, flexible payment options, personalized experiences, and smoother customer service.

This guide explains the top e-commerce trends shaping the industry in 2026, including AI, voice search, augmented reality, social commerce, sustainability, cross-border selling, personalization, subscription models, and user-generated content. More importantly, it shows how e-commerce businesses and non-technical operators can turn these trends into immediate, affordable actions for future growth.

E-commerce trends for 2026

E-commerce trends in 2026 are the key shifts in technology, customer behavior, consumer preferences, and business models that shape how people shop and how small businesses sell online.

These trends affect how online shoppers:

• Discover products
• Compare options
• Make payments
• Interact with e-commerce brands
• Decide whether to buy again

Some trends are driven by technological innovation, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, voice search, and marketing automation. Others reflect changing shopping habits, including faster delivery, better customer experiences, flexible payment options, sustainable products, and more personalized experiences.

You don’t need to chase every emerging trend. The goal is to understand which e-commerce industry trends matter most to your target audience, then use practical tools, clear marketing strategies, and reliable customer data to make informed decisions.

1. AI takes center stage in e-commerce: the rise of agentic shopping

Agentic AI is artificial intelligence that can understand a user’s goal, make decisions, and take actions on their behalf with limited manual input. In e-commerce, this means an AI shopping assistant can interpret a customer’s needs, compare products, recommend the best options, assist with completing a purchase, and support post-purchase tasks such as tracking, returns, or reorders.

AI in e-commerce has changed a lot over the past few years. What started as simple product recommendations and basic personalization has grown into something much more powerful. For customers, this can make online shopping feel faster and easier. For small businesses, it can mean better customer interactions, more personalized shopping experiences, and less manual work.

This shift is already happening. For example:

• Etsy sellers can now sell through ChatGPT’s Instant Checkout, which lets U.S. shoppers buy directly inside ChatGPT.
• Shopify merchants are expected to get similar capabilities, giving more than one million independent storefronts a new way to reach shoppers.
• OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol, built with Stripe, is designed to help people, AI agents, and businesses complete purchases together.

What does agentic commerce actually do?

Agentic commerce changes the shopping process from “you browse, choose, and buy” to “you tell your AI what you need, and it helps with the shopping process.”

For example, a shopper might say, “I need a phone under $300 that takes good photos.” From there, an AI agent can help:

• Understand what the shopper is looking for
• Compare products, prices, ratings, availability, and shipping options
• Recommend items based on budget, preferences, and past behavior
• Help complete a purchase with minimal input from the shopper
• Track delivery, handle returns, reorder products, or adjust future orders
• Follow guardrails, such as spending limits, approval steps, privacy rules, and human oversight

Basically, AI technology can help solve everyday customer pain points, like too many choices, confusing product details, slow support, unclear shipping information, and repetitive reordering.

What it means for small businesses

The rise of artificial intelligence doesn’t mean small businesses need huge budgets to keep up. Many AI tools are now available through affordable e-commerce platforms, apps, and integrations.

In our customer survey on how AI is changing website management for SMBs, 24% of small businesses said they already use AI for website updates for the past 6 months. These early adopters save at least 30 minutes per task when using AI for routine work.

For small business owners, that time can make a real difference. You can start with simple, manageable tools such as:

• AI-powered chatbots that answer common customer questions
• Product recommendation tools that suggest items based on browsing or purchase history
• AI tools that generate SEO-friendly product descriptions, meta titles, and meta descriptions
• Automation tools that send post-purchase follow-ups or reorder reminders
• Analytics tools that help you understand customer behavior and improve future sales

Over time, these tools can also help you make more data-driven decisions about product pages, customer service, marketing, and future sales.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire store at once. Start with one area where customers often get stuck, such as product questions, abandoned carts, product descriptions, or post-purchase emails. Then check whether the change improves customer engagement, online sales, or customer satisfaction.

For more ideas, read our guide on how to use AI for e-commerce. It covers practical tools and strategies small businesses can use to improve operations, customer service, and sales.

As you add AI, be clear with customers. Let them know how AI works on your site, how their customer data is protected, and when a real person is still involved. That transparency helps build trust while giving shoppers the convenience of AI-powered support.

We also use agentic AI to help you manage your online presence. You can access it from your account manager dashboard and see it in action when you register a domain or purchase any product with us.

2. Voice search and conversational commerce reshape discovery

Voice search is becoming a standard way consumers interact with technology, from phones and smart hubs to TV remotes, car systems, and AI assistants. The U.S. is expected to have 157 million voice assistant users in 2026. As voice technology improves, more online shoppers are using spoken questions to browse, compare products, and make shopping decisions.

For online shoppers, this changes how product discovery works. Instead of typing short phrases like “best running shoes women,” a customer might ask, “What are the best women’s running shoes for flat feet under $100?” These searches are longer, more conversational, and often closer to how people naturally speak.

The shift is already visible. Grand View Research found that the U.S. accounted for 23.7% of the voice search market in 2023, driven in part by the growing demand for hands-free technology during multitasking or driving.

That matters for small businesses because changing search behavior can affect visibility and sales. If your product pages, FAQs, and business details are hard for search engines to understand, shoppers may have a harder time finding you through voice search, mobile commerce, or traditional search.

Luckily, voice search optimization doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with the basics:

• Make sure your site works well on mobile devices.
• Use clear, conversational language on product and category pages.
• Add FAQs that answer common customer questions.
• Keep key business details easy to find, including your website URL, address, phone number, business hours, delivery areas, and pickup options.
• Use location-based keywords if you serve local customers or also operate a brick-and-mortar store.

Local details matter because many voice searches have immediate intent. A shopper may ask for “gift shops near me,” “pet supplies open now,” or “where to buy candles nearby.” If your business information is clear and location-specific, search engines are more likely to match your store to those searches. For more guidance, read our guide to using geo-targeted keywords to get more customers.

These updates help search engines understand your business and make it easier for online shoppers to find you, whether they type a search, tap through mobile shopping results, or ask a voice assistant.

Optimizing your site for voice and traditional search gives customers more ways to discover your business, browse your products, and engage with your brand.

3. Augmented reality brings products to life

One challenge with online shopping is that customers often have doubts before they buy. They can’t touch the fabric, sit on the furniture, or see how a makeup shade looks on their skin. That hesitation can lead to abandoned carts, especially when shoppers are unsure about size, fit, color, or style.

Augmented reality (AR) helps solve this problem by letting customers visualize products before committing to a purchase. Instead of guessing, online shoppers can see how a product might look in their own space, on their body, or as part of their daily routine.

The AR market in e-commerce is growing quickly. Worldwide AR and VR market revenue was modeled at $40.38 billion in 2024, after rising by $31.77 billion since 2017. Between 2024 and 2029, revenue is expected to increase by another $21.65 billion, continuing its upward trajectory.

For small businesses, the takeaway is clear: AR is becoming a practical shopping tool that helps customers feel more confident before they buy.

Brands are already using AR in practical, conversion-focused ways. For example:

• Furniture retailers let customers see how a couch, table, or chair would look in their living room.
• Apparel companies offer virtual try-ons so customers can get a better sense of how clothing might fit or look.
• Beauty brands allow shoppers to virtually apply makeup, such as eyeshadow, lipstick, or foundation, before buying.

In each case, AR helps narrow the gap between online and in-person shopping. It gives customers more confidence, improves the customer experience, and can increase customer satisfaction by helping shoppers make better purchase decisions.

Why it matters for SMBs

When customers can preview or try products before buying, they’re less likely to feel disappointed after the order arrives. For small businesses operating on thin margins, fewer returns can mean meaningful cost savings.

The technology is also becoming more accessible to small retailers. You don’t need a custom development budget or a dedicated engineering team to offer AR experiences. Many e-commerce platforms and apps now make it easier to add virtual try-ons, 3D product views, or product visualization tools.

Start with the product categories where uncertainty is highest—the ones where customers most often ask, “Will this fit?” or “Will this match?” Those are the places where AR can have the fastest, most measurable impact through reduced returns and increased customer confidence.

4. Social and livestream shopping are merging

Another major e-commerce trend is the rise of shoppable content and in-app checkout. Shopping now happens directly inside social media apps, where customers already spend a lot of their time.

This means social media is no longer just a marketing channel. It’s becoming a direct sales channel where people can discover products, watch demos, ask questions, read comments, and buy without leaving the app.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have made this shift easier. TikTok Shop, Instagram Shops, and Facebook Marketplace allow businesses to list products directly in social feeds. Many social media platforms now also offer features such as native payment processing, inventory management, in-app messaging, and customer service tools.

The numbers show how quickly this shift is happening:

• DHL’s 2025 E-commerce Trends Report found that 70% of global consumers expect to shop primarily through social media by 2030, bypassing traditional websites entirely.
• U.S. livestream shopping sales reached an estimated $50 billion in 2023 and are projected to grow by 36% by 2026, making up more than 5% of e-commerce sales in North America.

What drives this change?

Short-form video content feels more authentic and entertaining than traditional product pages. Influencers, creators, and business owners can show products in real-world situations, answer questions live, and build trust through more personal customer interactions.

Livestream shopping also turns product launches into live events. Businesses can offer flash sales, exclusive access, early access, and limited-time discounts that make customers feel part of something happening in real time.

In-app checkout removes another layer of friction. Customers can discover a product, watch a demo, ask a question, and complete the purchase without leaving the platform they’re already using.

How can you tap into this trend?

Since social media marketing is a growing trend, hopping on it can give you an edge over your competitors.

1. Start with the platforms where your customers already shop. Instagram Shops, TikTok Shop, and Facebook Marketplace offer free or low-cost ways to list products directly in social feeds. These channels require less setup than building a full, standalone e-commerce site from scratch.
2. You can use social media marketing to test what your audience responds to. Try product demos, customer videos, behind-the-scenes posts, short tutorials, and user-generated content.
3. Consider working with micro-influencers in your niche. These creators often have smaller but highly engaged audiences, and they usually cost less than macro-influencers while helping build stronger community trust.
4. If livestream shopping feels intimidating, start small. Host a simple live session on Instagram or TikTok where you showcase new products, answer customer questions, and offer an exclusive discount to live viewers. Test the format, learn what resonates with your audience, and expand from there.
5. Optimize your product data. Keep product names, descriptions, prices, inventory, and images accurate so your listings are easier to find across social media platforms, search engines, and conversational AI shopping tools.

To help manage your business’s social media presence, we offer a free Social App that comes with every domain purchase. Connect your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X accounts to post, respond to messages, and monitor reviews from a single dashboard.

5. Sustainability and the circular economy are defining consumer choices

Sustainability continues to shape how people shop, but it’s not always a simple decision. Many customers want to make more eco-conscious choices, yet the high cost of living can make it harder to follow through. That means small businesses need to connect sustainability with practical value, not just good intentions.

The circular economy is part of this shift. Instead of focusing only on new products, more shoppers are interested in resale, repair, refill, rental, and trade-in options. These models help keep products in use longer, reduce waste, and give customers more ways to buy that align with their budgets and values.

The resale market shows how strong this trend has become. In 2025, the global secondhand and resale apparel market was valued at an estimated $256 billion. ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report projects that the global secondhand apparel market will reach $367 billion by 2029, growing at a 10% compound annual growth rate.

At the same time, sustainability messaging needs to be thoughtful. NetSuite notes that investor-driven ESG has faced a pullback because of political, regulatory, and economic pressures, even as consumer demand remains a key force. For small businesses, the opportunity is to focus less on broad claims and more on specific, believable actions customers can understand.

That might include:

• Using recyclable or lower-waste packaging
• Offering refill, repair, or resale options
• Highlighting durable materials and product quality
• Sourcing locally when possible
• Being clear about shipping, production, and supply chain practices

Turn sustainability into loyalty

Sustainability can support customer loyalty when it feels real and useful. Resale, repair, refill, and trade-in programs can keep items in circulation while strengthening brand trust.

The deinfluencing movement is also pushing this trend forward. Publicis Sapient notes that social media influencers are increasingly discouraging overconsumption and encouraging people to buy less but buy better. That cultural shift makes product quality, transparency, and resale value more important for e-commerce brands.

For small businesses, the best approach is to make sustainability easy to understand. Instead of saying your brand is “eco-friendly,” explain what you actually do, why it matters, and how it benefits the customer. Clear, specific messaging can improve customer satisfaction, build trust, and encourage repeat purchases.

6. Cross-border and marketplace growth expand business reach

Online marketplaces have become the primary shopping destination for consumers worldwide. DHL’s survey of 24,000 shoppers found that 98% of consumers buy from online marketplaces.

This concentration of shopping activity on platforms like Amazon, eBay, Shopee, and regional leaders presents both opportunities and challenges for SMBs.  

Additionally, the scale of cross-border commerce continues to expand. DHL found that 3 in 5 shoppers now purchase products from outside their home country. This represents a significant increase from previous years, signaling that international buying has transitioned from a niche behavior to a mainstream practice.

Cross-border trust and logistics matter more than ever

The growth in cross-border shopping creates new challenges. Customers worry about:

• Shipping times
• Customs delays
• Returns processes
• Product delivery across borders

These concerns drive real purchasing behavior.

DHL’s cross-border report revealed a critical insight: 55% of shoppers desire greater transparency in delivery and return policies when making cross-border purchases. This is a deciding factor in whether customers complete international purchases.

For SMBs selling internationally, two things matter most:

1. Partner with reliable logistics providers and clearly communicate shipping timelines, customs processes, and any applicable duties that customers may owe.
2. Make your return policy explicit and simple. Customers buying internationally are already taking a risk. Removing uncertainty around returns encourages them to move forward with their purchase.

Consider starting with one or two nearby markets before expanding globally. Learn the regulations, shipping costs, and customer preferences in those markets first. Then expand to additional regions as you gain confidence and operational efficiency.

7. Flexible payments are a must-have, not a bonus

Flexible payment options are part of the customer experience rather than a nice extra. Online shoppers expect to pay with the methods they already use, especially when shopping on mobile devices. Today’s payment options include:

• Credit and debit cards
• Digital wallets
• Buy Now, Pay Later
• Cryptocurrencies
• Bank transfers
• Platform-specific checkout tools

Biometric authentication is quietly becoming part of the checkout experience, too. Fingerprint and face-based approvals can speed up the process while adding a layer of security that builds customer trust.

DHL reports that 50% of shoppers worldwide use Buy Now, Pay Later, especially Gen Z and Millennials. Its research also found that 81% of shoppers abandon their carts when their preferred delivery option is unavailable, underscoring how checkout and fulfillment choices affect conversion.

For SMBs, payment flexibility can directly support online sales. If customers reach the final step and don’t see a payment method they trust, they may leave. This is especially true in mobile commerce, where speed and convenience matter.

Security also matters. Flexible payments should be paired with fraud prevention, clear refund policies, and chargeback awareness. If you have an e-commerce website, be sure to use an SSL certificate to ensure your customer’s financial information stays encrypted and protected. That way, you’ll be more credible and trustworthy to consumers.

For SMBs, flexibility means conversion

Payment flexibility works best when it feels simple and familiar to the customer. The easier it is for shoppers to use their preferred payment method, especially on mobile, the more likely they are to complete their purchase with confidence.

• Offer the payment methods your customers use. Review your e-commerce platform’s payment data to see which options customers prefer.
• Add a buy now, pay later option. BNPL can help customers spread out purchases, especially for higher-ticket products.
• Test your checkout on mobile. A checkout that works on a desktop may still feel slow or frustrating on a phone.
• Invest in payment infrastructure. Reliable payment processing protects revenue and customer trust.
• Look at biometric-enabled checkout tools. If your platform supports them, faster authentication can mean fewer drop-offs at the final step.

Flexible payments are not just about convenience. They help remove friction, build trust, and make it easier for customers to finish their orders.

8. Personalization, automation, and speed shape the new customer experience

Today, online shoppers expect e-commerce businesses to understand their needs, recommend relevant products, remember preferences, and make the buying journey feel easier from start to finish. According to Statista, a 2024 survey showed that 64% of consumers worldwide preferred purchasing from companies that tailored their customer experiences.

Good personalization helps customers feel seen as individuals, not grouped into broad demographic segments. That might mean showing product recommendations based on browsing behavior, sending replenishment reminders, offering location-specific shipping information, or creating personalized shopping experiences based on past purchases.

Automation makes that level of service easier to manage. With marketing automation, small businesses can send welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, product recommendations, review requests, reorder prompts, and post-purchase follow-ups without manually writing every message. These automated touchpoints can improve customer engagement while saving time for business owners and marketing teams.

But personalization only works when it’s built on trust. Customers are more aware of how businesses collect and use their customer data, so small businesses need to be clear about what they track and why.

That means relying more on:

• First-party data collected directly from your customers, such as purchase history, email signups, quiz responses, and loyalty program activity
• Server-side tracking that can provide more reliable measurement while reducing dependence on browser-based cookies
• Explicit consent so customers understand what data they’re sharing and how it improves their experience
• Data minimization, or using fewer, better signals that are consented, relevant, and useful

This approach helps businesses make data-driven decisions without collecting more information than they need. Tools like Google Analytics, e-commerce platform reports, email dashboards, and other analytics tools can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, product interest, online sales, and future sales opportunities.

Personalization also connects to customer psychology. Timely offers, relevant recommendations, and well-placed reminders can help build excitement and reduce hesitation. For more ideas, read our guide on using psychology and excitement to boost sales.

We also have a Customer App to help you manage your customer relationships. Turn your leads into customers by tracking your website visitors’ behavior and engagement. It’s included when you register a domain with us.

Faster, smarter, smoother shopping

Speed is now part of the customer experience. If your site loads slowly, checkout takes too long, or shoppers can’t find what they need, even strong personalization may not be enough to keep them engaged.

A faster, smoother shopping experience can include:

• Clear navigation
• Fast-loading product pages
• Helpful product filters
• Accurate inventory management
• Simple checkout steps
• Automated order updates
• Quick answers to common customer questions

The goal is to remove friction wherever customers hesitate. When personalization, automation, and speed work together, shoppers can find what they need faster, feel more confident about buying, and come back again.

9. Subscription models keep customers coming back

Subscription models give customers a simple way to receive products or services on a recurring schedule, such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly. People subscribe for different reasons: convenience, savings, exclusive perks, or early access to new products.

Subscriptions can help create more predictable online sales and stronger customer loyalty, especially for small businesses. Instead of relying only on one-time purchases, you can build a business model that keeps customers coming back. When done well, subscriptions can also improve customer satisfaction because shoppers get the products they need without having to remember to reorder.

What products work best for a subscription model?

Subscription models work best when they address a recurring need or deliver ongoing value. Some good examples include:

• Consumables that run out regularly: Coffee, skincare, supplements, pet food, and cleaning products are strong fits because customers already buy them again and again.
• Curated discovery boxes: Beauty samples, snacks, hobby kits, and books work well when customers enjoy trying something new.
• Replenishment-based products: Razor refills, printer ink, water filters, and similar items are useful because shoppers often forget to reorder until they run out.
• Digital access products: Templates, tools, courses, stock assets, and memberships can create recurring value without physical shipping.

What subscriptions can offer beyond the product: the loyalty layer

The strongest subscription models do more than automate repeat purchases. They give customers a reason to stay connected to your brand.

That loyalty layer can include:

• Free or discounted shipping: A simple perk that makes the subscription feel more valuable.
• Early access to new products: Subscribers can shop new items before they’re available to everyone else.
• Exclusive discounts on add-on purchases: This rewards subscribers while encouraging larger orders.
• Small occasion perks: Birthday discounts, loyalty milestone rewards, or surprise samples can make customers feel appreciated.

Subscriptions don’t have to be complicated. Before building a full subscription program, identify one product in your catalog that customers already reorder, and test a subscribe-and-save option on that product first.

10. User-generated content builds trust that ads can’t buy

 User-generated content (UGC) is any content about your brand or products that’s created by real customers instead of your business. It can include photos, videos, written reviews, unboxing posts, social media tags, comments, and testimonials that feature your product.

This type of content matters because it comes from people who actually bought and used the product. That makes it feel more authentic than polished marketing campaigns or online ads.

As artificial intelligence makes content creation faster and easier, online shoppers are becoming more careful about what they trust. A brand can now create professional-looking product images, videos, and captions at scale. But real customer feedback still carries a different kind of credibility.

For e-commerce brands, user-generated content helps build trust by showing shoppers what your products look like in real life. It also supports customer engagement by giving customers a way to participate in your brand, not just buy from it.

What UGC actually looks like for a small store

User-generated content doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. For small businesses, it can look like:

• Customer photos: Real-life images that show your products outside a studio setting.
• Written reviews: Honest feedback that helps answer questions and reduce purchase hesitation.
• Video unboxings: Short videos that show packaging, product size, texture, or first impressions.
• Comment threads: Social media conversations that reveal common questions, reactions, and customer interactions.

These small pieces of content can support social media marketing, improve customer engagement, and give future buyers more confidence.

Why reviews are your most powerful form of UGC

Most conversations about UGC focus on social media, but reviews are user-generated content too. In many cases, they’re even more powerful because they appear exactly where purchase decisions happen: on product pages, marketplace listings, and checkout paths.

Reviews can improve customer satisfaction and customer loyalty by helping shoppers feel more informed before they buy. They also give business owners valuable feedback about what customers love, what causes confusion, and what could be improved.

You can collect more reviews without a big budget by using simple, repeatable prompts:

• Send a post-purchase follow-up email: Ask for a review three to five days after delivery, when the experience is still fresh.
• Use a simple SMS prompt: If your platform supports it, SMS can make review requests quick and convenient.
• Offer a small incentive: A discount on the next order or giveaway entry can motivate action without making the review feel transactional.

You can also encourage more UGC through everyday customer engagement:

• Create a branded hashtag: Make it easy for customers to tag your store on social media.
• Feature customer photos: Sharing customer content encourages others to participate.
• Respond publicly: Replies show that your business values customer interactions and feedback.

UGC isn’t a one-time campaign. It works best as an ongoing system that encourages customers to keep sharing their experiences. While a campaign is usually short-term, brand-driven, and budget-dependent, a UGC system is repeatable, customer-driven, and more self-sustaining. The more customers see real people using your products, the easier it becomes to build trust, strengthen customer loyalty, and help online shoppers feel confident enough to buy.

Why staying ahead of e-commerce trends matters

Staying ahead of e-commerce trends matters because it helps you stay competitive, meet customer expectations, and grow faster. Here’s why it’s important: 

• Customer behavior changes fast: Buyers expect new features like personalized recommendations, faster shipping, and easy checkout. Adapting to these early keeps your store relevant.
• Technology shapes buying habits: Trends like AI, voice search, and mobile commerce redefine how people shop. Staying updated helps you use the right tools before competitors do.
• Market competition is intense: Thousands of online stores compete for attention. Early adoption of trends gives you a first-mover advantage.
• SEO and algorithms evolve: Search engines and social platforms change how products are found. Tracking trends helps you maintain visibility and traffic.
• Better decision-making: Knowing what’s next guides smarter product, marketing, and pricing strategies. 
• Customer loyalty depends on innovation. When you continually improve your products, website, and customer experience, it shows your customers that their time and preferences matter. That consistency builds trust and strengthens emotional connection.

What the current e-commerce stats tell us

E-commerce keeps evolving because customer expectations, technology, channels, and operations are all shifting simultaneously, and the recent data shows that these shifts are now table stakes. Here’s what’s changing:

• Mobile becomes the default shopping mode: 57% of e-commerce sales come from mobile devices; projections indicate the mobile e-commerce share will reach 63% by 2028. That means speed, responsive design, and a frictionless phone checkout are non-negotiable.
• Growth of sustainable business models: ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report projects the secondhand apparel market will hit $367 billion by 2029, outpacing traditional retail growth.
• AI moves from nice-to-have to necessary: 24% of SMBs utilize AI for website updates, and 61% use AI chatbots.
• Marketplaces dominate and borders blur: Approximately 98% of consumers make purchases on marketplaces, and 3 in 5 make cross-border purchases.
• Personalization becomes the baseline: 7 out of 10 global shoppers want better online experiences and increasingly expect tailored journeys.
• Social shopping and livestreams reshape discovery: 7 in 10 consumers have bought via social and livestream commerce, which is projected to reach $68 billion by 2026 (up from $50 billion in 2023).
• Operations and compliance decide trust: Logistics, duties, and regulations now make or break conversion, especially across borders.

Frequently asked questions

Turn e-commerce trends into business growth

E-commerce trends may seem advanced, but small businesses don’t have to act on everything at once. The best place to start is with the trends that solve real problems for your customers.

If shoppers struggle to find your business, focus on voice search, social media, and stronger product content. If they hesitate before buying, improve your product pages, add reviews, and consider tools like augmented reality. If customers abandon checkout, offer clearer shipping details and more flexible payment options. If you want more repeat sales, test loyalty programs, subscriptions, and post-purchase automation.

Network Solutions can support you as these trends evolve. With our AI-powered e-commerce Website Builder, including our AI domain generator, logo maker, and slogan generator, you can launch or upgrade your online store, strengthen your brand, and create a more professional shopping experience faster. Start with the tools you need today, then keep improving as your business grows.