These trends will influence the future of e-commerce

An overview of the trends of the years!

2025
2024

E-commerce trends 2025: innovations that will shape online retail

The e-commerce industry is developing at a rapid pace and significant changes are also on the horizon for 2025. Companies must adapt to innovative technologies, new customer expectations and global challenges in order to remain competitive. Whether it’s the use of artificial intelligence, a focus on sustainability or the use of modern technologies such as AR and voice commerce, companies that implement these developments early on have the best chance of standing out from the competition. In this article, we take a comprehensive look at the most important trends in online retailing and provide practical tips on how to successfully leverage them.

1. Customised customer experiences through artificial intelligence

Personalisation has long been a central component of e-commerce, but in 2025 the role of artificial intelligence (AI) will increase even further. By using machine learning and data-driven analysis, retailers can better understand their customers’ behaviour and create tailored offers. Personalised product recommendations, automated customer care such as AI-powered chatbots and dynamic pricing are essential for companies to not only increase customer satisfaction but also to sustainably boost their revenues.

2. Accessibility as an important factor

Accessibility in e-commerce will continue to grow in importance in 2025. Companies that ensure that their online shops are accessible to all users not only open themselves up to a larger target group, but also fulfil legal requirements and social responsibility.

What is the Accessibility Act?

The Ordinance on the Accessibility Act defines the requirements for products and services that are placed on the market after 28 June 2025. Among other things, this affects the entire online retail sector, hardware, software, but also national passenger transport or banking services.

Why accessibility is crucial:

• Promoting inclusion: People with disabilities (e.g. visual or motor impairments) can use the shop without difficulty.
• Better user experience: An accessible design often improves the overall usability for all users.
• Comply with legal requirements: In many countries, stricter regulations on digital accessibility are coming into force.
• Positive perception: Companies that actively implement accessibility strengthen their image as a responsible brand.

Technical measures such as the use of screen reader-compatible content, clearly visible navigation elements and a simple language in the design contribute significantly to ensuring accessibility.

3. Sustainability as a competitive advantage

Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products and transparent supply chains. By 2025, sustainability will no longer be just a competitive advantage, but a basic requirement for success in e-commerce. Companies that take their environmental and social responsibilities seriously will gain credibility with consumers.

4. Augmented Reality: Virtual Experience of Products

The integration of augmented reality (AR) will make online shopping even more interactive. Customers will be able to virtually test and experience products before making a purchase. This development will particularly benefit industries such as fashion, furniture and cosmetics.

5. Mobile commerce sets new standards

The smartphone remains the most important shopping tool. In 2025, a large proportion of transactions will be carried out via mobile devices. Companies must therefore ensure that their platforms are perfectly tailored to mobile users. The following success factors should be considered:

• Responsive design: Your website should adapt seamlessly to all screen sizes.
• Fast loading times: Optimise performance, as slow pages cause high bounce rates.
• Mobile payment methods: Offer options such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or direct bank transfers for easy payment.

6. Use social media as a sales platform

In 2025, social networks will have established themselves even more firmly as marketplaces. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook offer integrated shopping functions that allow users to buy products directly in the app. Selling where your target group is active will give you a clear competitive advantage.

7. Voice-controlled shopping: the rise of voice commerce

With the growing popularity of voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, shopping via voice command is becoming more and more popular. Voice-controlled assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri are changing the way people shop online. Voice commerce will play an increasingly important role in 2025, as customers will be able to search for and purchase products by voice command. Businesses should ensure that their products and content are optimised for voice searches to benefit from this trend.

E-commerce 2024: The future of online retail in the midst of technological innovations and customer requirements

The year 2024 promises an exciting revolution in e-commerce. New technologies and changing customer demands are shaping the upcoming trends that will dominate the industry in the coming months.

1. Increased use of voice search / voice commerce: In 2024, the use of voice assistants like Alexa and Siri for purchases will become more and more popular. Fultastic Fulfillment offers support in optimising your product information for voice-driven searches, so you can be better found in this emerging sector.
2. Enhanced distribution and fulfilment planning: businesses are optimising their supply chains to increase efficiency and reliability.
3. Same-day delivery: The speed of delivery will continue to be of great importance in e-commerce in the future. Retailers in the online sector have the opportunity to improve their logistics processes in order to offer same-day delivery in selected areas. In addition, there could be increased use of delivery drones to deliver parcels quickly and efficiently.
4. Social commerce: The importance of social media in online retailing will continue to be significant, perhaps even crucial. Platforms such as Instagram or TikTok are likely to expand their shopping options to enable consumers to purchase products directly through these channels. It is therefore advisable for online retailers to prepare for this early on and to integrate their own products into these platforms in the best possible way.
5. AI-powered upselling and cross-selling methods: artificial intelligence is used to make upselling and cross-selling more targeted and effective.
6. Additional payment options: cryptocurrencies and other innovative payment methods are increasingly being accepted alongside traditional payment methods.
7. Use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): These technologies enable customers to visualise products in virtual environments, making it easier to decide whether to buy and reducing the need for physical stores.
8. Intelligent tools for mobile shopping: The optimisation of the mobile shopping experience will continue to be driven forward to improve the user experience on mobile devices.
9. Increase in subscription models: These models, in which customers pay regular fees for access to products or services, will continue to grow in importance.
10. Renewed focus on sustainability: Sustainability will continue to be a key issue, with companies and customers alike attaching importance to environmentally friendly and ethically responsible products and services.
11. Multichannel customer support: Providing consistent customer support across different channels will become increasingly important.
12. More personalised marketing and products: Personalisation will be used more to offer customers a more individual shopping experience and increase conversion rates.
13. New marketplaces and faster sales channels: E-commerce will expand through new marketplaces and more efficient sales channels.
14. Direct to consumer (DTC): These models, in which brands sell directly to their customers, are gaining in importance and enable closer customer relationships and personalised shopping experiences.
15. Global e-commerce expansion and cross-border shopping: As e-commerce becomes more global, new challenges and opportunities for international trade arise.

These trends show that the e-commerce sector will continue to be shaped by technological advances, changing customer preferences and increasing globalisation. Companies must adapt to these developments in order to remain competitive.