Ecommerce in 2025 is bigger and faster than ever. Global online sales are expected to hit $8.3 trillion, growing by more than 55% since 2021. Over 70% of all purchases now happen on mobile devices, and digital wallets are used in more than half of all online transactions. Consumers are shopping smarter, demanding convenience, security, and speed like never before.
This article covers the latest statistics and trends shaping ecommerce and online payments, helping businesses stay ahead in this ever-evolving digital marketplace.
Global Ecommerce Growth
The global ecommerce market has seen explosive growth over the past few years, driven by increased internet access, mobile commerce, and the rise of digital payment solutions.
In 2025, global ecommerce sales are projected to reach $8.3 trillion, representing a 55.3% growth since 2021. Consumers are embracing the convenience of online shopping, and businesses are rapidly expanding their digital presence to meet this demand.
The table below highlights the steady increase in ecommerce sales over the past six years:
| Year | Global eCommerce Sales (Trillions USD) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4.2 |
| 2021 | $5.3 |
| 2022 | $5.9 |
| 2023 | $6.8 |
| 2024 | $7.5 |
| 2025 | $8.3 (Projected) |
The data illustrates the rapid acceleration of online shopping, with a strong upward trajectory expected to continue as technology and consumer preferences evolve.
Mobile Commerce Dominance
Mobile commerce (m-commerce) continues to reshape the global ecommerce landscape, accounting for over 70% of all online retail sales in 2025. The rise of smartphones, improved mobile payment solutions, and the expansion of 5G networks have fueled this rapid shift toward mobile-first shopping experiences. Consumers now expect seamless, fast, and secure mobile transactions, prompting businesses to invest heavily in mobile-optimized websites, apps, and one-click payment solutions.
In the United States alone, mobile commerce sales are expected to reach $900 billion in 2025, representing nearly 50% of total ecommerce sales. The trend is even more pronounced in Asia, where markets like China and India lead in mobile-driven shopping. In China, over 85% of online transactions occur on mobile devices, with platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay dominating the payment space.
Retailers that fail to prioritize mobile commerce risk losing out on a significant share of the market. Studies show that mobile-friendly websites generate 30% higher conversion rates compared to desktop-only experiences. Additionally, the rise of social commerce—where shopping is integrated into social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook—has further reinforced mobile shopping as the primary purchasing channel for younger consumers.
Security and convenience also play a critical role in m-commerce growth. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay now account for more than half of mobile transactions globally. The adoption of biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, has enhanced security while making mobile checkouts faster and frictionless.
Country Insights on Online Payments
The table below highlights the top ecommerce markets in 2025, based on total online sales and penetration rates:
| Rank | Country | eCommerce Sales (Trillions USD) | % of Total Retail Sales Online |
| 1 | China | 3.2 | 52% |
| 2 | United States | 1.8 | 22% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 0.7 | 35% |
| 4 | Japan | 0.5 | 15% |
| 5 | Germany | 0.4 | 20% |
Canada
Canada’s ecommerce sector continues to grow, with total online sales projected to reach $120 billion in 2025, accounting for 16% of total retail sales. The rise of digital wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, is transforming online transactions, with 45% of Canadians using digital wallets for online purchases. Additionally, the widespread adoption of Interac e-Transfer for peer-to-peer payments and small business transactions highlights the shift toward seamless, secure digital payment solutions.
United States
The United States remains one of the world’s largest ecommerce markets, with $1.8 trillion in ecommerce sales in 2025. Digital payments continue to evolve, with credit and debit cards still dominant, but digital wallets now account for 40% of all online transactions. The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) trend is surging, with over 60 million Americans using BNPL services, particularly for electronics, fashion, and home goods. Additionally, mobile commerce is expected to represent 50% of total ecommerce sales in the U.S. by 2025.
United Kingdom
The UK leads globally in online shopping, with Britons spending 8.8% of their annual income on ecommerce, surpassing countries like the US and France, where the figures stand at 4.3%. The average UK consumer earns £37,856 annually and spends approximately £64 weekly on online purchases.
Brazil
Brazil’s instant payment system, Pix, is projected to overtake credit cards in the local online purchasing market by 2025. Pix is expected to capture 44% of the online payment market, while credit cards are anticipated to hold 41%. This shift is due to Pix’s free and instant transactions, promoting financial inclusion for over 71.5 million Brazilians by late 2022.
India
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continues to lead in instant payments, accounting for 46% of global instant payment transactions in 2022. In January 2024, UPI processed 12.20 billion transactions worth ₹18.41 lakh crore (approximately $222.17 billion), marking a 41.72% increase in transaction value compared to January 2023.
Large Online vs. Small eCommerce Retailers
Market Share and Growth
Large online retailers such as Amazon, Alibaba, and Walmart dominate the global ecommerce market, accounting for over 60% of total online sales. In contrast, smaller or local ecommerce businesses make up the remaining 40%, but they are growing steadily, especially in niche markets and direct-to-consumer (DTC) models.
The table below showcases the market share, total transactions, and revenue of the world’s top online retailers in 2025:
| Rank | Retailer | Market Share (%) | Transactions (Billions) | Revenue (Trillions USD) |
| 1 | Amazon | 38% | 9.5 | 1.2 |
| 2 | Alibaba | 27% | 8.0 | 0.9 |
| 3 | Walmart | 10% | 4.2 | 0.5 |
| 4 | Shopify Stores | 8% | 3.5 | 0.4 |
| 5 | eBay | 5% | 2.1 | 0.3 |
Comparing Large vs. Small Online Retailers
The dominance of large retailers is driven by their vast logistics networks, AI-driven personalization, and competitive pricing. However, small and local retailers thrive by offering unique products, niche markets, and personalized customer experiences.
| Factor | Large Retailers (Amazon, Alibaba) | Small/Local Retailers |
| Market Share | 75% of total online sales | 25% of total online sales |
| Average Order Value | $120 per transaction | $60 per transaction |
| Customer Base | Global | Regional or niche |
| Technology Usage | AI-driven recommendations, automated fulfillment | Limited automation, personalized service |
| Competitive Advantage | Scale, brand trust, fast shipping | Unique products, strong community ties |
Consumer Preferences
A survey in 2025 found that 62% of consumers prefer shopping from large online marketplaces due to convenience, competitive pricing, and fast delivery. However, 38% of shoppers actively support local or independent businesses, citing better product quality, personalized customer service, and a desire to boost their local economy.
Challenges for Small eCommerce Businesses
Customer Acquisition Costs: The average cost of acquiring a new customer for a small ecommerce business is up to 30% higher than for large retailers.
Shipping and Logistics: Large platforms offer same-day or next-day delivery, whereas small businesses struggle with high shipping costs and longer delivery times.
Advertising Budget: Large retailers spend billions annually on digital marketing, whereas smaller businesses must rely on organic growth, social media, and word-of-mouth marketing.
Strengths of Small Online Businesses
Despite challenges, small and local ecommerce businesses have key advantages:
Customer Loyalty: 75% of shoppers who buy from small businesses say they are likely to return for future purchases.
Personalized Service: Small businesses can offer tailored experiences, with 57% of consumers preferring customized product recommendations.
Unique and Handcrafted Products: 30% of online shoppers say they seek out small businesses for unique, handmade, or locally sourced products.
Emerging Payment Methods
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
The BNPL model has gained significant traction, projected to be the world’s fastest-growing payment method both online and in-store through 2025. In Australia, for instance, the average value of online orders has decreased by 23% over the past two years, with consumers opting for more items at lower prices, indicating a shift towards BNPL services.
Digital wallets have become increasingly popular, accounting for nearly half (48.6%) of global ecommerce transaction value in 2021. This share is projected to rise to 52.5% by 2025, reflecting consumers’ preference for seamless and secure payment options.
Industry Developments
PayPal’s Strategic Initiatives
PayPal Holdings has outlined plans to grow adjusted profits by low double digits or more by 2027, with significant contributions from its Venmo mobile app. In 2025, PayPal expects a 6% to 10% growth in adjusted profit. The company has also introduced PayPal Open, a merchant platform offering ecommerce and advertising tools, and expanded its partnership with Verifone to enhance enterprise payment solutions.
Amazon reported a 10% year-over-year sales increase in 2025, contributing significantly to total retail sales growth alongside Walmart and Costco. This growth is attributed to robust consumer engagement and a stable labor market, indicating a strong year ahead for major retailers.
Consumer Behavior Trends
Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized and convenient shopping experiences. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in ecommerce platforms has enabled retailers to offer tailored product recommendations, optimize inventory management, and enhance customer service through chatbots.
Additionally, the rise of social commerce, where shopping experiences are integrated into social media platforms, has transformed how consumers discover and purchase products.
