Advantages

Because the pandemic squeezed years of e-commerce growth into a few short months, online shopping has started to feel like the norm. In 2018, 76% of U.S. adults were shopping online (with 18% doing so at least once per week). Naturally, global online sales rose during the pandemic from $3.3 trillion in 2019 to $4.9 trillion in 2021. Expect $7 trillion. Patently, the ultra-competitive e-commerce industry is expanding at a rapid pace. While these statistics represent the entire world, increased e-commerce impacts us all individually. As retailers increasingly transition to digital platforms, we become more reliant on web retail. 

How it works

Online shopping is a vast industry, increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. When someone searches for an item, locates it, compares it across various sites, and finally purchases, there’s so much more going on behind the scenes. Targeted ads are not there by coincidence. Shopping giants analyze our online habits and the search engines we use. These purchasing trends become data for the companies we purchase from. The next generation of online consumers will play a key role in the continued rise of social media shopping. In the age of mobile payments, the modern online shopper demands the ability to get anything as fast as possible, often without a physical wallet. With the concurrent rise of social media, it seems natural to pair it with e-commerce.

The Facts

This chart highlights leading social commerce platforms. Facebook and YouTube’s investments in market-type environments within their apps established them as clear standouts. 

What are the ‘go-to’ items you frequently purchase online? Which sites do you use for those specific items? This graphic looks at the world’s most popular online shopping categories. Use this to see where you fit with global online shopping trends and how your online shopping habits have changed over time:

Helpful tips

Shop only with reputable sites and retailers. If your instincts tell you something isn’t right, you should probably avoid sending your money. Your personal data is sensitive and should stay protected as such. Plan your purchases and set a budget for your online purchases. Define how often you buy online and categorize what you purchase the most and least often. Stay aware of the latest changes to social commerce and regular online shopping, noting how these alterations impact your own habits.