With eCommerce becoming a primary business model on the internet, it’s fair to say that the industry is definitely not sleeping. In fact, it’s one of the most active when it comes to changes on a yearly basis.

Unfortunately, this means you always have to be on top of all trends. Otherwise, you risk losing your grip on the market and witness your business register significant losses in the following year. 2025 is no different.

With the rise of machines (in the good sense, at least for now) and GenZ becoming ever so relevant on the market, changes are rapid and drastic. Many will force you to reconsider your business plan and how you conduct your business. Still, that’s nothing new.

Every year, there are changes and trends that force businesses to comply in the hope they will be able to generate more leads and sales. So, to help you plan for 2025, here are the 8 trends that will disrupt your business and ensure the digital marketplace will evolve.

AI Dominance

There is a reason for AI to be the buzzword of the year. It will probably be the buzzword of the decade as well, as it has been the biggest leap in technology since the invention of the smartphone. Not many things can change the digital marketplace as much as AI. But here we are. AI is here to stay and expand on its potential.

In 2024, AI became one truly unavoidable factor in eCommerce. It enhanced personalized shopping, user experiences, and supply chains, and it automated customer service.

On the backend, it also empowered businesses to analyze customer behavior, predict trends, and tailor offerings to individual preferences. This resulted not only in more sales but also in higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.

One might think, “What more can AI do?”. Well, the best is yet to come. Thanks to the advancements in machine learning and data analytics, AI will become even more powerful. For instance, AI-driven recommendation engines will suggest products based on past purchases and real-time data, such as current browsing behavior and emerging market trends.

This AI-driven transformation will disrupt traditional business models by shifting the focus from reactive to proactive strategies. With customers getting used to receiving personalized suggestions rather than browsing for what they need, many eCommerce businesses will have to change their approach and invest heavily in AI technologies.

On the other hand, Artificial intelligence will also drastically reduce costs by streamlining operations and enhancing decision-making processes. This will help any business respond faster and better to the inevitable market changes.

So, while you will need to change your overall strategy, AI will help you enhance your service while reducing your costs. It’s a win-win.

Mobile Commerce Will Dominate In 2025

Mobile Commerce is slowly but surely becoming the dominant force in eCommerce, and 2025 will be its crowning year. Unfortunately for online businesses, this means they will have to invest in an app if they want to be relevant in the market. With 90% of US users admitting to having multiple shopping apps on their phones, that’s hardly a surprise. Moreover, 95% of them insist they use at least one of their shopping apps once per month.  

That corresponds with mobile commerce already accounting for half of all e-commerce sales. In fact, in 2025, experts say the segment will exceed 710 billion dollars.

With the increasing reliance on smartphones, there is really no surprise that shopping will become dominated by m-commerce. The devices already dictate most of the user’s daily routine, including social interactions, daily activities, banking, medical care, and even sports. What will change in 2025, though, is that mobile-friendly websites will no longer be enough. Instead, companies will have to invest in user-friendly mobile apps. They will drive traffic to online stores, increase retention rates, and make it easier, more comfortable, and safer for users to finalize their purchases.

However, if you’re not ready to invest in a mobile app, the least you can do is simplify the checkout with mobile-friendly options, such as digital wallets and one-click purchasing. Though not perfect, this will help you retain your loyal customers. Still, you definitely need to make plans to develop a mobile app in 2025.

Social Commerce Will Continue Growing

Social Commerce has always been a curious strategy. Essentially, it integrates the shopping experience into social media platforms without the need for a marketplace. This is a goldmine for influencers and authoritative entities, as they can promote products directly to their vast audience without transferring them to a third-party platform.

Social Commerce became a trend back in 2022, but it wasn’t until 2024 that it really took off. 16.6% of e-commerce purchases in 2024 were made through social media. In 2025, it will continue to grow, as forecasts suggest the share will reach 17.1%. Not a massive surge but a slow and steady rise in interest.

Regardless, it’s a good idea for small businesses to boost their social commerce campaigns in the following year. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok already allow users to browse and purchase products within the app. This blend of social interaction and seamless shopping can significantly improve your numbers if you allocate enough resources to create quality content.  

Now, social commerce will not be a game-changer yet. However, for small brands and one-man shows, it will be the perfect strategy to escape the shadow of the big brands. All you need to do is create a unique social media persona and invest some time and resources into building your following, and by the end of 2025, you will be able to capitalize on your investment. Just don’t put all your eggs into this particular basket. Though Social Commerce will undoubtedly grow, it’s still way away from becoming a sufficient marketing channel.

Omnichannel Experiences Will Be a Hit

Speaking of channels, it would be best not to bet all your money on just one this year. This is by no means a new concept. Actually, most brands have been following this practice for years, and it definitely paid off. So, what will be the difference in 2025?

Well, with the shift of customer expectations, brands who have become a one-trick pony will be the biggest losers. We expect those who refuse to comply with the new realities of omnichannel experience expectations to see a significant loss in sales and retention rates. Customers already expect to receive a seamless experience across different channels. They want to be able to talk online with a salesperson, go to a physical store, and get precisely what the salesperson has promised. This requires a massive dose of synchronization.

So, to stay relevant in 2025, we suggest creating a universal brand guideline that you can follow regardless of the channel. This will ensure your brand’s consistency in messaging and customer service standards.

Furthermore, make an effort to synch your inventory data so everyone has accurate and real-time information, regardless of the purchasing platform.

Finally, create a system for cross-channel interactions. The bare minimum is to allow customers to start a transaction in one channel and finish it in another. For example, someone may find your product on your social media. However, they may feel much more comfortable purchasing it through your app while receiving it in your physical store. It’s your job to make this possible without any hustle on the customer’s end.

Sustainability Will Sell

GenZ customers are slowly but surely becoming the driving factor in the e-commerce industry. Naturally, e-commerce brands should strive to accommodate their unique expectations. One of the most significant driving points behind most GenZ customers is their environmental consciousness.

So, in 2025, sustainability will sell. Naturally, brands that manage to embrace some eco-friendly policies will receive a huge boost. Now, this won’t bring so many new customers, as it will reduce the number of those leaving your services for a more eco-friendly brand. With 85% of users reporting they experienced first-hand the disruptive effects of climate change in their daily lives, that’s hardly a surprise. However, the good news is that these same customers are ready to pay nearly 10% more if they receive a sustainable solution to their problems.

Sustainability will impact everything from sourcing to logistics. Businesses will face growing scrutiny over their supply chains, packaging materials, and carbon footprints. Transparent communication about sustainability efforts will become a key if you want to retain your customer base.

So, when planning your 2025 strategy, make sure to include sustainability front and center. It will be the driving force that will determine your success over the following 12 months.

Payment Method Options Will Matter

In 2025, how you let your customers pay will matter just as much as what you’re selling. Shoppers are no longer satisfied with one or two payment options; they expect flexibility, speed, and security. And if you don’t offer it, they’re just a click away from finding a competitor who does. Let’s face it: no one really likes a complicated checkout process. So, making it simple will always be a cornerstone of your success.

Digital wallets have been around for quite some time now, but they have never been so important for your survival on the market. People demand convenience and security when they pay, and those who can’t provide will simply lose their clients.

The growth is staggering. The global digital payments market is projected to hit a whopping $20 trillion by 2026. At the same time, younger shoppers are embracing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay, which let them spread out payments without interest. And don’t forget cryptocurrency—what started as a niche is quickly gaining mainstream traction, with companies like Tesla leading the way by accepting Bitcoin.

Big players are already setting the bar. Amazon, for instance, supports nearly every payment method under the sun, from digital wallets to regional solutions. Klarna has partnered with thousands of retailers, making BNPL a must for e-commerce businesses.

So, make sure you offer as many payment options as possible. Moreover, one-tap and one-click options will likely help you raise your sales, especially combined with a flexible return policy. You can even go a step further and offer BNPL services through a third-party provider.

However, stay away from cryptocurrencies for now. They are too volatile. Receiving something that can lose half its value overnight is not the brightest idea for a small business.

Subscription Ecommerce Will Plateau Out

You may have heard that subscriptions are expected to top 43 billion dollars in sales in 2024. This is a 13% growth. However, when it comes to the share of all e-commerce sales, subscription commerce hasn’t moved an inch since 2021. It has received precisely 3.2% of the market, showing this segment’s stagnation.  

During the pandemic, subscription services exploded as consumers embraced convenience and home delivery. From meal kits like HelloFresh to beauty boxes like Ipsy, it felt like there was a subscription for everything. But by 2024, the cracks were starting to show. The average number of subscriptions per subscriber decreased from 4.1 in March 2022 to 2.9 in 2024, suggesting that consumers are streamlining their subscription services. Moreover, among current subscribers, 6% expressed plans to cancel their subscriptions after the current payment period, indicating ongoing reassessment of subscription value.

What this means for you is you will have to change. The retail subscription model has plateaued and will start shrinking soon. If you’re in the subscription game, the days of easy growth are over. Standing out now means offering more than just convenience—you need to deliver undeniable value and an exceptional customer experience.

So, in 2025, make sure to retain as many of your customers as possible. Change your strict subscription rules with more flexible ones. Allow users to pause their subscription, skip a month, or customize their plan as they see fit. This will allow you to retain the customer until changes are complete.

During this time, focus on diversifying your income streams and changing your overall business plan. Consider some one-time purchase offers for the product, with subscriptions only being for enhancements of the set product.

Second-Hand Options Will Become Noticeable

With 60% of Americans making a second-hand purchase between June 2022 and June 2023, second-hand is obviously becoming mainstream. In fact, experts suggest that the resale market will cross the 100 billion dollar threshold as early as 2026. Furthermore, globally, the second-hand market will account for up to 10% of the apparel market by 2025.

This trend is by no means an indication of a shriveling market and an impoverishing population. It’s a sign of how seriously people take sustainability in this day and age.

Unfortunately for you, this spells changes in your overall business model yet again. Indeed, the second-hand trend is just starting, but in 2025, it will become noticeable. So, instead of waiting, acting and becoming a leader of this trend is a far better idea. Some big brands have already taken that leap of faith. The French sports brand Decathlon buys off old sports equipment, fixes it, cleans it, and then offers it at a highly discounted price.  

Online platforms specializing in second-hand goods are also thriving. Lithuanian start-up Vinted moved from a net loss in 2022 to a net profit of €17.8 million last year, increasing its valuation to €5 billion. Unlike others, Vinted does not charge sellers’ fees, which has helped expand its marketplace.

So, instead of fearing the inevitable, make sure to pivot your business plans in the right direction. Firstly, incorporate second-hand or refurbished products into your inventory to attract sustainability-conscious consumers. Moreover, collaborate with established second-hand platforms or marketplaces to expand your reach and tap into existing customer bases.

Most importantly, clearly communicate the sustainability benefits of your products and practices to build trust and appeal to environmentally aware customers.

Speed Remains A Constant

Drastic changes in the eCommerce industry will mark 2025. Most businesses will have to change their strategies to find a way to retain their customers and answer the ever-shifting customer preferences and behavior. However, there is one thing that never changes – speed. The faster you are, the better your results will be. This is a fundamental precursor of any successful online business. Faster deliveries, faster support, and, most importantly, faster websites.

Currently, 47% of users expect websites to load in under 2 seconds. More importantly, about 40% of your audience will bounce right out of your webpage if your page takes more than 3 seconds to load. The percentage is higher when it comes to mobile – 53%.

So, if you want to remain relevant in the market, you need to sort out your hosting infrastructure before you ever start building your marketing strategy and business plan.

Luckily, there is a quick fix – HostArmada.

We offer the best cloud hosting services on the market, ensuring lightning-fast website loading time, robust security features, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee.

So, check out our plans and choose the one that will best fit your needs. Having a successful eCommerce website starts from the bottom, so ensure you have a strong foundation before you start acting on the current and future trends.