Future trends to watch in 2023

The world of eCommerce is constantly changing. With the growth and innovation of technology reaching new heights each day, from AI to automation and just savvier ways of doing business all around. 

If you’re not paying attention to the emerging eCommerce trends, you’re most likely “leaving money on the table” – missing opportunities to grow and evolve your business.

(Click here to skip to the bottom for the TL;DR recap.)

Why it’s important to understand eCommerce trends

Online shopping trends continue to multiply, proving that they are effective and beneficial to consumers. When COVID-19 knocked the world off its feet, consumers everywhere were faced with doing things differently. Those who had been resistant or reluctant to join the digital age were forced to acclimate. 

But it’s important to realize a fad from a business trend. Fads fade quickly. Trends reveal over time an increase in popularity and sales, but also shifts the culture and buying behaviors.

From ordering groceries online to Amazon shopping skyrocketing to virtual business meetings and medical appointments, what we know now is that the digital world is an essential part of life, and eCommerce is a critical part in keeping a lot of that afloat.

What are the current eCommerce trends? 

As new patterns surface, several current eCommerce trends will remain top contenders. Trends high on the list include mobile shopping, voice-enabled shopping, personalization, and marketing automation. 

With consumers becoming more reliant on their smart devices and calling on Siri or Alexa for assistance, and as businesses focus on enhancing their customers’ experience, the current and future trends of online shopping will keep shaping how we live and buy.

What is the future of eCommerce? 

A study shared that in 2021 alone retail eCommerce sales reached $5.2 trillion. Trillion. Based on the data, sales projections for 2026 retail eCommerce are expected to scale to a whopping $8.1 trillion. 
On top of that, a 2022 survey showed that younger buyers, aged 25 to 40, do about 80% of their shopping online. The numbers reveal digital retail as a cornerstone of our culture now. Global consumer behavior, the aftermath of COVID-19, and the ever-emerging cutting-edge technology ensures that online purchasing is here to stay. 

Here are the top trends we’ve identified that’s moving online shopping forward, and could do the same for your business.

1. DTC 

Though direct-to-consumer (DTC) isn’t a new concept, it is one that’s had a resurgence since the pandemic, and cuts out the extra expenses of dealing with a third-party. Merchants are realizing that selling directly to their customers isn’t just better for sales, but is better for relationship-building too.

2. Content commerce  

Convenience is king when it comes to content commerce. Content includes emails, newsletters, social media, videos and blogs, just to name a few. Having relevant purchasing links embedded in content that customers have already opted into is what makes this approach seamless, unintrusive, and readily available if the consumer decides they want in.

3. Snap and shop

We’ve all had the desire to simply take a picture of a product that we love and abra cadabra, add that bad boy to an online cart. Well now it’s possible — and about to get a lot more common.

Think of snap-and-shop features like the Shazam app — but for products. With apps like CamFinder, you’ll now be able to use your phone to search for products much like Shazam is able to find information about a song you’ve never heard before.

4. Omnichannel marketing

You may have heard of multi-channel marketing. Well, omnichannel marketing is the 3.0 version of that. Omnichannel retail is keeping a consistent brand and experience for your customers at every touchpoint, from website to social media to calls to webinars. Having a deeper understanding of your customers’ habits and preferences informs you where they are online, and, as a result, helps to upgrade their buyer’s journey. 

TL;DR :

The future of eCommerce trends is bright! With sales of $5.2 trillion in 2021 projected to soar with a 56% increase by 2026, it’s safe to say online shopping has become a fixture of our society. 

To stay competitive in the New Year, agile eCommerce businesses should keep an eye on:

• DTC

• Content commerce

• Snap and shop

• Omnichannel marketing trends