Ecommerce in 2025
As ecommerce continues to evolve, 2025 has opened with massive momentum in online shopping trends. From skyrocketing revenues to shifting category demand and rising mobile retail usage, digital commerce is reshaping how people buy globally. Let’s dive deep into the most important insights and statistics shaping the world of online shopping in 2025.
In recent months, ecommerce has not only maintained its pandemic-driven growth but also expanded into new markets and behaviors. With billions of consumers now purchasing online weekly, categories like fashion, food, and electronics dominate digital sales. Meanwhile, major players like Amazon, Shopee, and Temu are competing for market share across regions, and new shopping behaviors—such as frequent mobile purchases and voice-assisted searches—are transforming the retail experience. This report breaks down the latest ecommerce statistics to understand where the digital marketplace is heading next.
Ecommerce Statistics 2025
Global Ecommerce Revenue Growth in 2024
| Metric | Value (2024) | Change from 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Global Online Consumer Spend | US$4.12 trillion | +14.6% (≈US$500B+) |
| Online Shoppers (Worldwide) | 2.5+ billion users | +8.5% (≈200M more) |
The global ecommerce sector experienced remarkable growth in 2024, with online consumer goods spending exceeding US$4.12 trillion, according to Statista. This represents a 14.6% year-over-year increase, which is equivalent to over half a trillion dollars in added revenue compared to 2023. Such robust financial expansion underscores the sustained strength of ecommerce post-pandemic and reflects consumer reliance on online platforms for everyday purchases across categories like fashion, groceries, electronics, and more.
In tandem with revenue growth, the online shopper population surged to over 2.5 billion people, marking an 8.5% increase or roughly 200 million new digital buyers in just one year. This expansion highlights both the deepening penetration of internet access globally and the growing trust in digital transactions. Factors such as mobile-first browsing, improved delivery infrastructure, and flexible payment options have played pivotal roles in attracting and retaining consumers. These numbers indicate that #ecommerce is not just thriving—it’s accelerating into new markets and demographics at scale.
Weekly Online Shopping Behavior in 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Adults Making Weekly Purchases | 56% of online adults |
| Estimated Weekly Online Shoppers | 1.7 billion |
| Users Buying Groceries Weekly | ~50% of weekly online buyers |
According to GWI, a significant 56% of online adults now shop online every week, translating to an estimated 1.7 billion weekly digital consumers globally. This trend signals a major shift in shopping behavior, where online retail has seamlessly integrated into routine life, moving beyond occasional purchases to become a habitual activity. The rise of weekly shopping aligns with increasing comfort in digital platforms, the widespread use of smartphones, and the convenience of on-demand delivery services that make online purchasing fast and frictionless.
Of particular interest is the dominance of grocery shopping in the ecommerce space. Around half of these weekly shoppers—approximately 850 million people—buy groceries online, reflecting the evolution of ecommerce from non-essential to essential categories. Unlike earlier years where fashion and electronics dominated, this move toward essentials-based ecommerce demonstrates deeper consumer trust in online platforms for fresh and timely needs. It also signals strong growth potential for logistics, quick-commerce startups, and hyperlocal delivery systems serving food and household segments.
Top Global Ecommerce Categories in 2024
| Category | 2024 Revenue (US$) |
|---|---|
| Fashion | $770B |
| Food | $680B |
| DIY & Hardware | $500B |
| Electronics | $465B |
| Physical Media | $439B |
In 2024, the global #ecommerce market saw diverse consumer spending patterns, with Fashion topping the charts at over $770 billion in online revenue. This reflects fashion’s strong digital presence, aided by fast-fashion giants, influencer-driven trends, and seamless shopping apps. Close behind, Food emerged as a powerful category with $680 billion in spend—highlighting a surge in online grocery shopping and the growing reliance on delivery services for essential items. The third place went to DIY & Hardware, which brought in nearly $500 billion, propelled by increased home improvement activities and rising interest in personal projects.
Surprisingly, Physical Media—a category often considered in decline due to digital streaming—generated a substantial $439 billion. This includes strong sales of books, vinyl records, board games, and DVDs, pointing to a global resurgence in nostalgia-based purchases and tactile experiences. The Electronics category also maintained a steady presence with $465 billion, driven by demand for smartphones, gadgets, and home tech. Together, these figures reveal that ecommerce is no longer dominated by a few verticals—consumers are now shopping across a wider array of categories, reinforcing the need for diverse digital retail strategies.
Ecommerce’s Share of Global Retail Spending in 2024
| Year | Ecommerce Share of Total Retail Spend |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 12% |
| 2021 | (Peak during pandemic) Higher than 17.3% |
| 2024 | 17.3% (~$1 in every $6 spent) |
In 2024, global ecommerce accounted for 17.3% of total consumer goods spending—equivalent to roughly $1 out of every $6 spent worldwide. While this figure is slightly lower than the pandemic peak in 2021, it still represents a remarkable 50% growth compared to 2019, when ecommerce held just 12% of the retail market. This indicates that although physical stores are regaining traction post-COVID, the digital shopping habits formed during lockdowns have left a permanent imprint on global consumer behavior.
The current plateau reflects a new equilibrium in the retail landscape. Online channels have solidified their position not as a temporary alternative but as a core part of the buying journey. Even with the return of in-store experiences, consumers continue to favor ecommerce for convenience, price comparison, and speed—especially for essentials and repeat purchases. For businesses, this sustained share means it’s no longer a question of online vs. offline, but rather how to optimize omnichannel strategies to meet shoppers where they are.
Leading Ecommerce Markets by Digital Retail Share (2024)
| Country/Region | Ecommerce Share of Total Consumer Goods Spend |
|---|---|
| United States | 33%+ |
| China | 31.2% |
| Developing Economies | <10% |
In 2024, the United States continued to dominate the global ecommerce landscape, with over one-third (33%+) of all consumer goods spending happening via online channels. China, long considered the global benchmark for mobile commerce innovation, closely followed with 31.2% of retail spend now digital. These two markets highlight the maturity and scale of ecommerce infrastructure in highly connected economies, driven by robust logistics, high smartphone penetration, and deeply integrated payment ecosystems.
However, developing economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America still show ecommerce penetration in single digits, leaving massive untapped potential. The low figures reflect challenges like limited internet access, lack of digital payment options, and underdeveloped delivery systems. But they also point to a promising growth frontier. As connectivity improves and fintech expands, these markets are expected to experience significant ecommerce surges, making them key focus areas for international brands and digital retailers looking to expand globally.
Top Global Ecommerce Retailers in 2024
| Rank | Retailer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | #1 globally in mobile shopping apps |
| 2 | Shopee | Dominates Southeast Asia & Brazil |
| 3 | Flipkart | Major player in India |
| 4 | Temu | Achieved double-digit growth in users (Q4 2024) |
| 5 | Shein | Slight drop in active users (Q4 2024) |
The global ecommerce landscape in 2024 saw Amazon maintain its dominant position as the most used mobile shopping app worldwide, largely due to its extensive product catalog, reliable logistics, and strong brand loyalty. Shopee solidified its place as the regional leader in Southeast Asia and Brazil, leveraging localized strategies, gamification, and deep discounts to maintain user engagement.
Meanwhile, Flipkart held its ground as India’s top ecommerce platform, continuing to benefit from its integration with the Walmart ecosystem and its focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities. However, Temu emerged as the most dynamic platform in late 2024, surpassing Shein in active user growth with double-digit gains between September and November. In contrast, Shein saw a slight decline, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of fast fashion and discount ecommerce.
This ranking reflects not just app popularity, but also shifting consumer preferences, regional dominance, and growth momentum—signaling where innovation and investment may be heading next in global ecommerce.
Most Searched Shopping Products in 2024 (Global)
| Rank | Search Term |
|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone |
| 2 | Samsung |
| 3 | Nike |
| 4 | Amazon |
| 5 | Adidas |
| 9 | iPhone 15 |
| 12 | iPhone 13 |
| 18 | iPhone 14 |
| — | iPad, Lego, Walmart |
Search engine data from Google Shopping reveals that “iPhone” was the most searched shopping product globally in 2024, surpassing even its parent brand, Apple, by a factor of 3x in search frequency. This reinforces the iPhone’s status as a product with strong standalone brand recognition and demand. In total, Apple products featured in 6 of the top 20 search results, including various iPhone models and the iPad, underscoring their continued dominance in consumer interest and online purchase intent.
Beyond tech, Nike and Adidas stood out as the top sportswear brands, reflecting sustained global appeal. Amazon, Lego, and Walmart were the only non-tech and non-fashion brands to appear in the top searches, highlighting their broad product offerings and customer loyalty. These search trends provide critical insights for marketers and ecommerce strategists looking to align with consumer interest and optimize product listings.
Future of Ecommerce
Ecommerce in 2025 is not just growing—it’s transforming. The data reveals that mobile-first platforms, food delivery, and essential product categories are pushing ecommerce into everyday life. While the global share of ecommerce in retail still has headroom, markets like the US and China prove what maturity looks like. At the same time, emerging platforms like Temu and the continued dominance of brands like Amazon and Apple show that agility and innovation remain essential.
With billions of online buyers, evolving product trends, and deepening mobile penetration, 2025 is shaping up to be another breakthrough year for digital commerce.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
