As 2025 approaches, the eCommerce scene is changing at breakneck speed due to new technology, changing market conditions, and rising customer demands. This shift presents both fascinating opportunities and difficult difficulties for leaders in online retail and commerce.
Experts still predict robust growth. Retail e-commerce sales worldwide topped $4.1 trillion in 2024 and are predicted to reach $6.4 trillion by 2029. According to some estimates, e-commerce revenues reached $5.8 trillion last year and are expected to surpass $8 trillion by 2027. In Europe, the industry generated €887 billion in 2024, up 3%, and is expected to generate €915.9 billion in 2025, a robust 9.32% gain. France stands out with a turnover of €159.9 billion in 2024 (a 10.5% increase), primarily due to a 20% increase in sales of online services. The French e-commerce market is expected to generate €200 billion in revenue by 2025.
This growth is not limited to global giants—South Africa’s eCommerce sector is also booming. With internet usage surpassing 76% in 2023 and expected to rise significantly by 2029, the number of e-commerce users is forecast to reach 11.7 million in 2025, jumping to over 21.5 million by 2029. Fashion, toys, hobbies, and DIY are leading the charge.
Major players like Takealot & Amazon dominate consumer preferences and Mobile commerce is particularly strong, with 77% of shoppers using smartphones, and delivery convenience remains the top motivation. Debit cards (58%) and services like PayPal (used by 80%) lead the way in online payment methods.
This increasing tendency, which is being driven by more customers shopping online and a wider variety of digital products, validates e-commerce’s growing influence in the global economy. Brands must provide “intelligent e-commerce”—tailored, frictionless, and increasingly human-centered experiences—in order to remain competitive. The new norm for selling to individuals or enterprises is customisation, rapidity, and flexibility. For example, 33% of business-to-business (B2B) purchasers now use social media and mobile devices to look for items, anticipating the same seamless experiences they have as consumers.
The following are the main eCommerce developments that will influence 2025 and beyond:
AI-Powered Customisation
AI is currently the foundation of contemporary e-commerce. AI is already being used by 92% of companies for personalisation, from dynamic site content to customised product recommendations. Customers agree—45% of Gen Z and millennials desire tailored suggestions. By 2025, 10% of all product content will be generated by generative AI, up from 1% in 2021.
Privacy & Data Security
Concerns around data privacy are growing as AI becomes more prevalent. 67% of consumers are unaware of what businesses do with their data, while 81% of consumers are concerned about how their data is utilised. Nowadays, trust is a crucial differentiation. Businesses need to prioritise safe AI use, encryption, and transparency. It is anticipated that the worldwide blockchain market, which is essential to safe and transparent transactions, would increase from $17 billion in 2023 to $943 billion in 2032.
Social commerce
eCommerce is starting to rely heavily on social media. Social media platforms accounted for 64% of user transactions in 2021, and the industry is expected to increase from $492 billion to $1.2 trillion by 2025 and then to $6.2 trillion by 2030. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are developing into virtual marketplaces that combine transaction, trust, and discovery in one location.
Voice & Conversational Business
As AI becomes more intelligent, voice commerce is growing. By 2025, 75% of US households will have a smart speaker, and by 2028, there will be 170 million voice assistant users. It’s worth keeping an eye on because conversational commerce is expected to reach $34 billion by 2034.
AR, or augmented reality
By enabling customers to “try before they buy,” augmented reality helps close the gap between online and in-store encounters. AR increases buying confidence with virtual furniture arrangements and clothing try-ons. By the end of 2025, there will be more than 100 million AR users in the United States, and the market is predicted to grow from $20 billion in 2023 to $723 billion in 2034.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a consumer expectation rather than just a trendy term. 70% of buyers would pay more for sustainable items, and 46% of buyers take a brand’s environmental credentials into account before making a purchase. These days, ethical sourcing, recyclable packaging, and carbon-neutral transportation are crucial. Despite the fact that 85% of single-use plastic still ends up in landfills, governments and consumers are working to reverse this.
Supply Chain Efficiency
Smarter and faster logistics are essential. Automation, AI, and drones are simplifying fulfilment and cutting waste. By 2034, it is anticipated that the drone delivery market would have grown from $2.1 billion to $38.5 billion. AI is also improving demand forecasting, which is revolutionising inventory management.
Business Subscription
The subscription economy is still growing rapidly. By 2025, 47% of French consumers are anticipated to be subscribers. The subscription market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion in 2025 and $904.28 billion by 2026 on a global scale. Personalisation and adaptability will be crucial.
AI-Assisted Customer Support
AI is revolutionising customer service. Businesses that use sophisticated chatbots report significant increases in customer satisfaction and speed. For instance, Cdiscount used AI tools to treble client satisfaction. Customer service is ranked as the top area for AI investment by nearly half of AI-mature organisations.
Composable Business
As demands evolve, brands can stay flexible by incorporating best-of-breed solutions thanks to composeable commerce. It is a modular, adaptable strategy that facilitates quicker and more effective scaling and response to changes in the market.
Mobile commerce
Mobile still has the upper hand. By 2027, mobile devices will account for 62% of all e-commerce. It is imperative that the experience be optimised for mobile devices.
Livestreaming purchases
Live commerce adds excitement and a sense of urgency to the purchasing process. Livestream e-commerce sales in the United States are expected to increase from $50 billion in 2023 to $68 billion in 2026.
Modernisation of B2B E-Commerce
B2B purchasers anticipate personalised experiences, dynamic pricing, and user-friendly interfaces. Traditional procurement techniques are giving way to streamlined, user-friendly systems.
Looking Ahead
The events of 2024 have changed the landscape of digital commerce, particularly with regard to the adoption of AI. Successful brands in 2025 will be those that blend human interaction with cutting-edge technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Growth will be primarily driven by personalisation, trust, transparency, and agility.
Companies who adapt to these shifts and continuously coming up with new ideas will not only stay ahead, but will take the lead.