Keeping up with the latest eCommerce trends is crucial for helping your business thrive and stay ahead in the competitive online shopping sector. As consumer behaviour changes, so must the strategy of eCommerce businesses.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the top trends in 2025 that eCommerce retailers should concentrate on to boost their sales and customer satisfaction.
1. Omnichannel experiences
One of the most exciting new eCommerce trends is the rise of omnichannel experiences. Greater numbers of customers than ever expect a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels. Whether it’s shopping online, via a mobile device or in a brick and mortar store, integrating augmented reality (AR) into your eCommerce platform will create a cohesive experience between online and in-store shopping. One of the best-known examples of this is IKEA’s app. Since its launch in 2017, it has allowed millions of customers to accurately visualise furniture in their homes using AR. The app has successfully enhanced IKEA’s customer engagement and satisfaction.
2. Greater emphasis on sustainability
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it’s an essential aspect for many customers that influences their buying decisions. But don’t think that you can just claim to be sustainable without being able to back it up. According to a recent study by Mintel, 60% of consumers believe businesses are only claiming to be sustainable.
Implementing transparent and verifiable sustainable business practices will help you gain customer trust and loyalty. Whether through eco-friendly biodegradable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, or schemes that encourage greater reuse and recycling, Autofulfil has plenty of ways we can help improve your eCommerce brand’s sustainability.
3. Personalisation using AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way eCommerce sites personalise the shopping experience. And it’s set to be one of the biggest eCommerce trends of 2025, with thousands of businesses already implementing AI as a key part of their marketing strategies. Over 70% of US digital retailers believed AI-driven personalisation would affect their business this year, according to a December 2023 survey by Bolt.
Advanced personalised capabilities, driven by AI and machine learning, allow eCommerce platforms to analyse consumer data and provide tailored shopping experiences. This level of personalisation not only enhances the customer journey for online shoppers but also increases the likelihood of repeat custom and customer loyalty.
4. Social commerce
Social commerce is a growing trend that involves selling products directly through social media platforms. From TikTok Shop to Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace, prospective customers can now make a purchase without even having to leave their favourite app.
In the US, UK, Ireland, Germany and France, 74% of respondents in a TELUS International survey reported being influenced by social media ads, with 71% of global consumers purchasing something based on seeing a social media ad in the past year. And it’s set to become even more popular – the social commerce market is expected to grow globally to more than $2 trillion by 2025, according to Statista.
This new eCommerce trend capitalises on the social nature of shopping and leverages user-generated content to drive sales. Integrating social commerce into your strategy allows you to tap into a broader range of customers and increase your eCommerce sales significantly.
5. Faster delivery for eCommerce sales
In the competitive eCommerce world, where there are other options a mere click away, customers expect speedy deliveries. In fact, speed of delivery is the second most popular factor for consumers when choosing where to shop, with only free shipping selected more often. In addition, 55% of shoppers say they’ll change retailers to get their orders delivered quicker.
Meeting this expectation is essential for maintaining satisfaction and loyalty among your customers. Outsourcing your order fulfillment to a reliable third-party logistics (3PL) provider such as Autofulfil can help your eCommerce business guarantee faster delivery times to customers.
As a reliable 3PL partner located in Ireland, we manage your inventory and shipping for you, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business whilst ensuring your loyal customers always receive their orders promptly.
6. Voice search and smart speakers compatibility
As technology continues to advance, voice search becomes a more significant part of how customers shop online. The increased popularity of devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home means more customers are using voice commands to search for products and make purchases.Making sure your eCommerce site is compatible with and optimised for voice shopping is, therefore, something you should pay greater attention to. By using Natural Language Processing (NLP) your website will be able to understand and respond to voice queries more accurately.
7. Subscription models
Subscription models are becoming an increasingly popular way to build brand loyalty and ensure repeat custom. Offering subscription options for products that customers frequently buy – for instance a protein powder, perfume or face cream – can enhance the customer experience by simplifying their shopping habits. This model works well for a variety of industries, from beauty to fitness to software services and digital content.
8. Advanced analytics and customer data
Advanced analytics and customer data are essential for understanding customer behaviour and preferences. By analysing zero-party data (data that customers share with you intentionally), you can gain a greater insight into how a customer shops and what they expect from your eCommerce store. This valuable information can help you develop your marketing strategies and eCommerce website to deliver custom shopping experiences.
9. Mobile shopping with eCommerce businesses
Mobile shopping continues to dominate the eCommerce landscape. With more people than ever using mobile devices for online purchases, optimising your website and product pages for mobile is essential. In many cases, it can be useful to design your site for mobile devices first, rather than concentrating on how it looks on larger screens.By making your website mobile-friendly through fast loading times and an intuitive user interface (such as one-click checkout processes), you will help encourage customers to support your eCommerce brand and make an online purchase.
10. Virtual and augmented reality
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are transforming the eCommerce industry by providing highly immersive shopping experiences. These emerging technologies allow customers to interact with products virtually, helping them make informed purchasing decisions.
More eCommerce brands now use AR fitting rooms, interactive displays, and in-store robots. As a result, the AR or virtual fitting room market is expected to reach $3.17 billion worldwide this year, on its way to more than $6 billion by 2027, according to Business Future Analysis.
Virtual try-ons for clothing and accessories or 3D visualisations of products can enhance the shopping experience for both new and existing customers. In a recent case study by Shopify Plus, customers were found to be “65 percent more likely to place an order after interacting with a product in AR.”
As VR and AR technologies continue to develop and become increasingly popular, they will play an increasingly important role in the eCommerce customer journey.
The importance of every eCommerce trend
Staying ahead of the top eCommerce trends is essential for savvy businesses and online retailers looking to grow their sales and increase their customer base in 2025.
From embracing omnichannel experiences to emphasising your business’s sustainability and ensuring faster delivery through reliable 3PL partners like Autofulfil, you’ll position your brand to meet customer expectations and enjoy stronger retail sales.
But as new technology develops, it’s important to remain adaptable to change. Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, eCommerce stores can be easily changed to meet new customer preferences. By focusing on mobile optimisation, implementing voice search functionality and integrating VR and AR into your online store, you will create a seamless and engaging shopping experience that appeals to a broader range of customers.
These new trends are important, but so are the eCommerce business model basics, like reliable and scalable order fulfilment. If you’re interested in fast, high-quality, sustainable fulfilment in Ireland, Europe, and beyond, contact Autofulfil to get a quote today.
