The global ecommerce industry has grown into a $6.8 trillion powerhouse and is projected to reach $8 trillion by 2027. About 2.77 billion people now buy products from ecommerce platforms and social media stores worldwide. This digital marketplace continues to revolutionize how we buy and sell.
Experts predict online purchases will make up 21% of all retail sales by 2025. The digital market keeps growing globally, with the Philippines leading growth at 24.1% in 2023. B2B ecommerce will soon overshadow consumer sales, reaching $36 trillion by 2026.
Mobile commerce is a game-changer with 91% of purchases happening on smartphones. Customer behavior shows 99% read reviews before buying, and cart abandonment remains high at 70%. Businesses that streamline checkout have major opportunities to increase conversions.
This piece breaks down the most important global ecommerce statistics for 2025. It explores growth forecasts and consumer behavior patterns that should shape business strategies in the coming years.
Surprising Ecommerce Stats You Need to Know in 2025
The numbers show how digital commerce is changing retail faster than ever. These are the most eye-opening ecommerce statistics shaping 2025 business decisions.
Global ecommerce sales hit $6.86 trillion
Worldwide ecommerce sales reached $6.86 trillion in 2025, an 8.37% jump from 2024. Experts predict a 7.8% CAGR between 2025 and 2027, putting ecommerce on track to pass $8 trillion by 2027.
Market growth is uneven across regions. Latin America may grow 22% between 2023 and 2026, while the Philippines recorded a 24.1% sales boost in 2023. Physical stores are expanding at less than half the pace of online retail.
2.77 billion people shop online worldwide
In 2025, 2.77 billion people shop online, representing one-third of the global population. This number grew 2.2% since 2024 as more markets adopt ecommerce.
China leads with 904.6 million online shoppers, followed by the US with 288.45 million. Gen Z is highly active, with 74% buying something online monthly. Most prefer mobile apps and social platforms, showing the rise of digital-first experiences.
Amazon holds 37.6% of US ecommerce market share
Amazon dominates US ecommerce with 37.6% of market share, far ahead of Walmart’s 6.4%. Its share is especially strong in books and media (65%), electronics (42%), home and garden (35%), and health and personal care (28%).
Amazon Prime grew from 46 million members in 2016 to 250 million in 2025. The company processes 20 orders per second and ships 1.6 million packages daily. Although its share slipped from a pandemic peak of 41.8%, Amazon remains the market leader.
Mobile commerce accounts for 59% of all sales
By 2025, mobile commerce makes up 59% of total ecommerce, worth $2.51 trillion. This shift from desktop has been steady since 2017 and will likely reach 63% by 2028.
Regional differences are notable. US mobile sales reached $564.10 billion in 2024, accounting for 44% of purchases. In Asia, China and South Korea see over 70% of online sales through mobile devices.
Businesses that fail to optimize for smartphones risk losing customers. Mobile commerce is expected to grow from $500 billion in 2017 to $3.35 trillion by 2028, a sixfold increase.
Ecommerce Growth Statistics: How Fast is the Market Expanding?
Year-over-year growth from 2021 to 2025
Global sales climbed steadily from $5.3 trillion in 2021 to $7.5 trillion in 2024. Ecommerce is projected to hit $8.3 trillion in 2025, marking 55% growth since 2021.
The US Census Bureau reports ecommerce sales of $304.2 billion in Q2 2025, up 5.3% year-over-year. Ecommerce now represents 16.3% of total US retail sales.
Growth is slowing compared to the pandemic years. Analysts note the high-growth era is ending, citing China’s economic slowdown and North American trade tensions.
Retail ecommerce CAGR by region
India leads with an expected CAGR of 11.77% from 2025 to 2030, higher than the global average of 6.29%. Other fast-growing markets include Japan (9.67%), Indonesia (7.75%), and Turkey (7.47%).
Asia-Pacific maintains momentum with a projected CAGR of 20.2% from 2024 to 2030. In Europe, Germany leads with 21.1%, followed by France at 20.4% and the UK at 16.4%.
The US shows slower but steady growth at 5.59%. Latin America also demonstrates strong ecommerce potential, particularly in Mexico.
B2B vs B2C ecommerce growth
B2B ecommerce will reach $32.1 trillion in 2025, five times larger than B2C. By 2030, B2B could hit $62.2 trillion with 14.5% CAGR.
B2C is also growing strongly, projected to reach $5.5 trillion by 2027 with a 14.4% CAGR. Still, B2B accounts for 83.3% of all ecommerce revenue globally.
In the US, B2B ecommerce reached $9.69 trillion in 2024, representing 86.6% of total ecommerce. Combined B2B and B2C revenue is expected to hit $71 trillion by 2030.
Consumer Behavior Trends Shaping Ecommerce
34% of shoppers buy online weekly
About 34% of US online shoppers make purchases weekly, with some studies suggesting 37%. Among women, the figure rises to 42%.
In China and the US, 90% of consumers bought from online-only stores in the last month. In Germany and the UK, the figure is 80%. Grocery delivery is especially popular, with 40% using it weekly.
Only 6% of Americans report never shopping online, proving how deeply ecommerce is embedded in daily life.
Top reasons for cart abandonment
The average cart abandonment rate is 70%. The main reasons are extra costs (39%), slow delivery (21%), security concerns (19%), and mandatory account creation (19%).
Other causes include complicated checkout (18%) and poor return policies (15%). Four in ten shoppers abandon carts when return policies seem unclear or strict.
Women are more likely than men to leave carts due to unsatisfactory returns. Businesses that simplify policies stand to increase conversions significantly.
What motivates online purchases in 2025
Free shipping is the top motivator, with 83% of US shoppers saying it influences their decisions. Direct home delivery appeals to 55%, while secure payments matter to 65% and easy returns to 64%.
Social media influences 39% of purchases through influencers and 34% through trending items. Reviews remain critical, with 95% of shoppers reading them before buying.
Brand reputation matters, with 60% ranking personal experience as the biggest factor. Customized offers also matter, with 50% of consumers appreciating tailored promotions.
Mobile Commerce Statistics: The Shift to Smartphones
Mobile sales expected to reach $2.51 trillion
Global m-commerce sales are projected at $2.4–$2.51 trillion in 2025, representing 59% of ecommerce. The market could reach $4.01 trillion by 2030 as mobile devices improve.
In the US, mobile commerce hit $564.1 billion in 2024, growing 14.8% year-over-year. By 2025, mobile will make up 44% of all US ecommerce sales.
This growth confirms mobile as the default shopping channel. Businesses prioritizing mobile experiences will maintain competitiveness.
Smartphones vs tablets vs desktops
Smartphones drive 66% of orders and 78% of ecommerce traffic. Desktops now account for only 22% of traffic, though they still generate the highest average order value at $155.
Mobile orders average $112, while tablets rank higher than smartphones. App users browse 4.2 times more products per session than mobile web users, showing greater engagement in apps.
Larger screens such as tablets encourage higher spending. This suggests device type influences not just purchase rates but also order values.
Mobile checkout conversion rates
Mobile conversion rates average 1.1%, compared to 3% on desktops. Apps convert 3x better than mobile web and 5x better than desktop.
Cart abandonment rates vary by platform: 20% for apps, 68% for desktops, and 97% for mobile web. Slow loading, complex checkouts, and payment security concerns are major barriers.
Digital wallets will power 52.5% of transactions in 2025. By 2027, they are expected to handle more than half of global ecommerce payments.
Social Commerce is Booming: What the Data Says
Social commerce to hit $2.9 trillion by 2026
The global social commerce market will grow from $699.4 billion in 2024 to $908.5 billion in 2026. Some estimates place the total at $2.9 trillion by that year.
Back in 2018, social commerce was worth just $81.9 billion. Today it makes up 19.4% of global ecommerce and could reach 21.7% by 2028.
Top platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
Facebook leads US social commerce with 64.6 million buyers. Instagram follows with 48.2 million, while TikTok is growing fastest with 35.8 million.
Each platform plays a unique role. Facebook drives one-third of US social purchases, Instagram generates the highest order value at $65, and TikTok is expected to surpass Instagram by late 2025.
Who shops on social media and what they buy
Half of US adults now shop on social platforms, up 12 points since 2022. Gen Z leads with 67%, but even 34% of Baby Boomers participate.
Shoppers mostly buy fashion, beauty, and home goods. Weekly purchases are common, with 35% buying at least once a week.
Brands increasingly partner with creators, as 76% of companies say creator ads are the most effective. Shoppers now use an average of 6.8 platforms monthly, giving brands multiple opportunities to connect.
Emerging Ecommerce Trends to Watch
AI and automation in ecommerce
AI is a top priority for 84% of ecommerce businesses. Companies using AI see 10–12% extra revenue and up to 25% better customer satisfaction.
AI chatbots now handle 70% of customer conversations. Businesses using AI report faster sales cycles and lower costs by up to 60%. The ecommerce AI market is projected to reach $45.7 billion by 2032.
AR shopping adoption rates
The AR ecommerce market reached $5.88 billion in 2024 and could grow to $38.55 billion by 2030. This represents a CAGR of 35.8%.
Shoppers are enthusiastic about AR, with 91.75% of Gen Z saying they want AR shopping. Products with AR see a 94% higher conversion rate, and sales could increase 200% with wider adoption.
Sustainability and ESG-driven purchases
Sustainability has become a requirement, not a choice. About 85% of consumers say they shop more sustainably, and 45% expect brands to adopt ESG practices.
Products with ESG claims grew 28% over five years, compared to 20% for others. Younger generations lead, with 67% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials prioritizing eco-conscious shopping.
Conclusion
Ecommerce has reshaped retail into a $6.8 trillion global powerhouse. By 2027, it will exceed $8 trillion, with mobile commerce and B2B sales driving much of the growth.
More than 2.77 billion people now shop online regularly. Amazon dominates US ecommerce, while Asia-Pacific and India show the fastest growth rates. Mobile commerce leads with 59% of sales, and social platforms are reshaping discovery and buying.
Consumer behavior continues to evolve. Shoppers demand free shipping, easy returns, and fast checkouts. Cart abandonment at 70% remains a key challenge, while reviews and social influence drive most purchases.
Emerging trends like AI, AR, and sustainability will define the next decade. Businesses that adapt quickly to mobile-first experiences, checkout optimization, and ESG practices will thrive in this fast-changing marketplace.
FAQs
Q1.How much of global retail sales are expected to be online by 2025
By 2025, experts predict 21% of all retail purchases worldwide will take place online, highlighting the significant shift towards digital shopping.
Q2.What percentage of online purchases are made via smartphones
As of 2025, 59% of total global ecommerce sales are made through mobile devices, accounting for approximately $2.51 trillion in revenue.
Q3.How often do people typically shop online
About 34% of online shoppers make purchases at least once a week, with some studies suggesting this figure could be as high as 37% among US adults.
Q4.What is the most common reason for cart abandonment in online shopping
The top reason for cart abandonment is extra costs such as shipping, taxes, and fees. About 39% of shoppers cite this as their reason for leaving without purchasing.
Q5.How is social commerce impacting the ecommerce landscape
Social commerce is booming, with the global market expected to reach $908.5 billion by 2026. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are leading this trend, with 51% of US adults having made a purchase through social media.
