What Are the Latest eCommerce Trends and Statistics?

As global shopping habits continue to evolve rapidly—especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—the eCommerce industry is experiencing explosive growth. What used to be future predictions are now today’s realities, with more businesses than ever turning to digital storefronts to meet rising consumer demand.

If you’re considering launching an eCommerce site or optimising your current platform, understanding the latest trends and data is essential for making informed decisions that fuel long-term success.

• eCommerce is no longer optional—it’s essential for long-term business survival
• Consumers demand speed, simplicity, and security when shopping online
• Understanding demographics and shopping habits gives you an edge
• Optimise for mobile and multi-device users
• Security, trust signals, and great UX lead to higher conversions

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• The Digital Shift: What’s Driving eCommerce Growth
• eCommerce by the Numbers: Eye-Opening Statistics
• Understanding Online Shopper Demographics
• User Experience: What Keeps Customers Coming Back
  • Preferred Payment Methods
  • Cart Abandonment: Key Reasons
  • Performance Matters
• Strategies for Building a High-Converting eCommerce Site
  • Choose the Right Platform
  • Prioritise Mobile Optimisation
  • Ensure Website Security
  • Focus on Design and Functionality
• FAQs About eCommerce Trends

In recent years, especially since the onset of COVID-19, the online shopping boom has accelerated far beyond initial projections. Consumers are increasingly favouring the convenience of digital shopping experiences, leading businesses of all sizes to adapt or risk falling behind.

• A quarter of brick-and-mortar stores now have online outlets.
• 95% of purchases will be made online by 2040, according to industry forecasts.

Why Go Digital Now?

Adopting an eCommerce model isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic business move. With easy-to-use platforms and vast market opportunities, digital storefronts are now more accessible and profitable than ever before.

These data-driven insights reveal just how fast the eCommerce landscape is expanding:

• Retail eCommerce is expected to grow by 90% in the next five years.
• Global eCommerce sales hit $3.35 trillion in 2019, and are projected to reach $6 trillion by 2024.
• 2.14 billion people now shop online—a figure that continues to grow.
• In April 2021 alone, over 200,000 new Australian shoppers entered the digital space.
• Conversion rates average just 1.94%, highlighting the need for effective UX and trust-building strategies.

Knowing your audience is half the battle. Here’s what recent stats reveal about digital buyer behaviours:

Generational Trends

• Millennials (67%) and Gen X-ers (56%) prefer shopping online versus in-store.
• Older Australians have also shown increased online activity due to lockdowns and convenience.

Peak Shopping Times

• 29% of Aussies shop online between 7–10 PM
• 18% do their digital shopping from 2–5 PM

Gender & Spending Habits

• Men spend 68% more per transaction than women.
• 23% of consumers abandon purchases when forced to create an account—showing the importance of guest checkout options.

Success in eCommerce is about more than just launching a store. The user experience can make or break your conversion rate.

• Cards remain king, with 52% of online purchases made via credit/debit cards.
• PayPal users have a 70% higher checkout success rate, thanks to its buyer protection and simplicity.

• 60% abandon carts due to unexpected costs (shipping, taxes, etc.)
• 37% are turned off by mandatory account creation
• Other major culprits include:
  • Complicated checkouts (28%)
  • Lack of transparency on total cost (23%)
  • Website crashes (20%)
  • Trust issues with payment security (19%)

• 57% of users leave if your site takes over 3 seconds to load
• 73% are more likely to purchase if there’s a product video
• 80% of businesses now use chatbots to improve customer support
• 60% of buyers switch devices mid-purchase, making multi-device optimisation crucial

If you’re going digital, do it right. Here are practical strategies to ensure your eCommerce website succeeds:

Select a user-friendly, all-in-one eCommerce builder that aligns with your business needs and growth goals. Look for scalability, built-in SEO tools, and easy integration with payment gateways.

Nearly half of Aussie shoppers buy via mobile weekly. Your website should:

• Load quickly
• Be responsive on all screen sizes
• Have intuitive navigation

Shoppers won’t trust a site that feels unsafe. Secure your platform with:

• SSL certificates
• Trusted payment options (e.g., PayPal, Stripe)
• Data encryption protocols

A visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website improves user retention and boosts trust. Prioritise:

• Clean design
• Fast loading speeds
• Consistent branding
• Simple check-out processes

1. Is eCommerce still growing in 2025?

Yes! The global eCommerce market continues to expand, with new technologies and consumer behaviours driving innovation. Growth is projected to hit over $6 trillion in annual sales.

2. Why is mobile optimisation so important?

With nearly half of all online purchases made on smartphones, a mobile-friendly site ensures you don’t miss out on potential sales. Plus, it improves SEO and user satisfaction.

3. What causes high cart abandonment rates?

Common reasons include hidden fees, long checkouts, forced account creation, and slow-loading pages. Addressing these pain points can drastically improve conversions.

4. What are the best payment gateways for eCommerce?

PayPal, Stripe, and Square are among the most trusted. They’re secure, easy to integrate, and offer buyer protections that improve checkout rates.

5. How can I make my eCommerce site more secure?

Install an SSL certificate, use secure payment processors, and regularly update plugins or software to prevent vulnerabilities.

Our Expert Takeaway

Whether you’re making the digital leap or securing your footing in the highly competitive cyberspace, it will be bad for your business if you put off the entire planning for later. With the global pandemic shutting down or severely limiting brick-and-mortar operations, it’s hard to ignore the window of opportunity that eCommerce presents.

By observing trends, you can help your brand take the lead and stay ahead of the pack. After all, business innovations aren’t the product of guesswork or gut feel. The truth is that an up-and-running eCommerce website is an ever-evolving machine that you can optimise to suit the taste and requirement of your constantly changing audience.

To help you with building this impressive piece of business technology that will drive your commercial goals forward, however, you need a helping hand and a listening ear from an experienced Melbourne web design agency. Good thing you don’t have to look far as Digital Rescue is here to come to your brand’s aid. Call us today and we’ll custom build your e-Commerce platform, one that can surely drive up business interactions and leads alongside sales conversions!