Ecommerce statistics and data visualisation showing global online retail growth

In this article

UK Ecommerce Market Statistics

The United Kingdom remains Europe's largest and most mature ecommerce market. With nearly a third of all retail spending now happening online, the UK continues to lead European nations in digital commerce adoption.


  1. UK online retail sales reached £127.41 billion in 2024. This represented a 3.4% increase from £123.3 billion in 2023, showing continued growth despite economic headwinds. (Statista)
  2. The UK ecommerce market is projected to reach £286 billion by 2025. This growth trajectory positions Britain as the third-largest ecommerce market globally, behind only China and the United States. (Netguru)
  3. 28% of UK retail sales now occur online. As of September 2025, internet sales as a proportion of total retail reached 28%, up from 27.8% in August 2025. (ONS)
  4. Total UK retail sales reached £517 billion in 2024. This represented a 1.4% increase compared to 2023, with online channels driving a disproportionate share of growth. (Ecommerce Scotland)
  5. The UK has 62.1 million ecommerce users. Over 90% of UK internet users purchase products online, giving Britain one of the highest ecommerce penetration rates worldwide. (Netguru)
  6. British shoppers spend £3,715 per year online. This equates to approximately £310 monthly, or just over £71 per week on average across all online purchases. (Ecommerce Scotland)
  7. Fashion leads UK ecommerce with £67.8 billion in online sales. The clothing and footwear sector maintains the highest ecommerce penetration, with 48% of sales occurring through digital channels. (Statista)

UK ecommerce users and online shopping penetration

Global Ecommerce Market Statistics

Global ecommerce continues its upward trajectory, with online retail now representing over a fifth of all worldwide sales. The shift to digital commerce shows no signs of slowing.


  1. Global ecommerce sales will reach $6.88 trillion in 2026. This represents a 7.2% increase from the previous year and accounts for approximately 21.5% of total global retail sales. (DemandSage)
  2. Total global retail sales are projected to hit $33.7 trillion in 2026. Online channels continue to capture an increasing share of this total year over year. (Shopify)
  3. Global ecommerce will grow to $7.89 trillion by 2028. The sector is forecast to represent 22.5% of all retail sales by that date. (Oberlo)
  4. China, the US, and Western Europe account for 80.5% of global sales. These three regions generated more than $5.17 trillion in ecommerce revenue in 2025. (Shopify Enterprise)
  5. 2.86 billion people will shop online in 2026. The number of digital buyers continues to expand as internet penetration grows globally. (Flowlu)
  6. Latin America leads regional growth at 12.2% year-over-year. The region will reach $191.25 billion in ecommerce sales, with Mexico on track to surpass US penetration levels by 2026. (Shopify)
  7. India ranks first for ecommerce growth through 2027. With a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%, India leads twenty countries tracked for retail ecommerce development. (Statista)

Global ecommerce growth chart showing market size projections to 2028

Mobile Commerce Statistics

Mobile devices now drive the majority of ecommerce traffic and an increasing share of transactions. Smartphones have become the primary shopping device for many consumers.


  1. Mobile commerce will generate $4.01 trillion in 2026. This represents nearly 60% of total global online retail sales. (Flowlu)
  2. UK mobile commerce will exceed £100 billion in 2025. Mobile transactions now account for 55% of all UK ecommerce purchases. (Ecommerce Scotland)
  3. 1.65 billion people will shop via smartphone in 2026. This represents one-third of the global digital population. (DemandSage)
  4. Smartphones account for 74% of retail site traffic worldwide. Despite generating most visits, mobile conversion rates still lag behind desktop. (Statista)
  5. 62% of smartphone owners have made a purchase on their device. Mobile shopping has become mainstream behaviour across all age demographics. (BuildFire)
  6. Mobile commerce accounts for 6% of all retail sales globally. This share continues to grow as mobile checkout experiences improve. (Forbes)

Mobile commerce statistics and smartphone shopping trends

Social Commerce and TikTok Shop Statistics

Social platforms have evolved from discovery channels to complete shopping destinations. TikTok Shop in particular has disrupted traditional ecommerce models with creator-led selling.


  1. Global social commerce sales will exceed $1.63 trillion in 2026. The market is growing at a CAGR above 30%, driven by in-app shopping and creator-led sales. (Hostinger)
  2. TikTok Shop will generate $23.41 billion in US sales in 2026. This represents a 48% increase year-over-year, giving TikTok a larger ecommerce business than Target or Costco. (eMarketer)
  3. 80.4 million Americans will shop through TikTok in 2026. This represents 67% of TikTok's US audience engaging with the platform's shopping features. (eMarketer)
  4. US livestreaming ecommerce will reach $68 billion by 2026. TikTok livestreams drove 84% year-over-year sales growth during Black Friday Cyber Monday 2025. (inBeat)
  5. 58% of consumers have purchased because of an influencer. Influencer marketing continues to drive significant ecommerce conversions across platforms. (Amra and Elma)
  6. 46% of shoppers say short-form video is most influential for purchases. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are reshaping product discovery. (Hostinger)
  7. 53% of Gen Z have purchased via social media platforms. This generation leads social commerce adoption, with 60% discovering new products on social networks. (SellersCommerce)
  8. Facebook reaches over 80 million social shoppers in the US. Despite TikTok's growth, Facebook remains the most popular social commerce platform with 46% of shoppers naming it as their preferred channel. (Tidio)

Ecommerce Platform Market Share Statistics

The ecommerce platform landscape continues to consolidate around key players. Understanding market share helps inform technology decisions for growing brands.


  1. Shopify commands 30% of the US ecommerce platform market. In North America, Shopify leads all competitors, with WooCommerce at 18% and Wix at 15%. (MobiLoud)
  2. Shopify holds 10.56% of the global ecommerce platform market. This positions Shopify as the second-largest ecommerce platform worldwide. (Red Stag Fulfillment)
  3. Among high-traffic websites, Shopify holds 28.8% market share. When analysing the top one million websites globally, Shopify's dominance increases substantially. (Yaguara)
  4. WooCommerce powers 18% of top 100,000 ecommerce sites. The WordPress-based platform remains popular among smaller merchants and content-focused businesses. (ECDB)
  5. 5.6 million live Shopify stores operate worldwide. Including subdomains, the total exceeds 9.6 million active storefronts on the platform. (Store Leads)

Ecommerce platform market share comparison chart

Cart Abandonment and Conversion Statistics

Cart abandonment remains one of ecommerce's biggest challenges. Understanding why shoppers leave without purchasing helps optimise the checkout experience.


  1. The average cart abandonment rate is 70.22%. Based on 50 different studies, this represents a slight increase from 2024's 69.9% average. (Baymard Institute)
  2. Mobile cart abandonment reaches 85.65%. The complexity of mobile checkout continues to challenge conversion rates on smaller screens. (Email Vendor Selection)
  3. Desktop abandonment is significantly lower at 65-70%. Larger screens and easier form completion contribute to better desktop conversion. (MobiLoud)
  4. Fashion has the highest industry abandonment rate at 84.61%. Travel follows closely at 84.56%, while food and grocery sits lowest at 50-56%. (Wiser Review)
  5. Over 90% of shoppers abandon when shipping costs are too high. Unexpected fees at checkout remain the primary driver of cart abandonment. (OptinMonster)
  6. 79% of consumers say free shipping increases purchase likelihood. Shipping cost transparency early in the journey significantly reduces abandonment. (MobiLoud)
  7. Guest checkout can reduce abandonment by up to 35%. Forced account creation remains a significant barrier to completion. (Baymard Institute)
  8. $260 billion in abandoned revenue is potentially recoverable. Targeted recovery campaigns can reclaim a significant portion of lost sales. (ConvertCart)

Payment Methods and BNPL Statistics

Payment preferences continue to evolve rapidly. Digital wallets have overtaken traditional cards while Buy Now Pay Later services capture an increasing share of transactions.


  1. Digital wallets account for 54% of global online payments. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal have surpassed credit and debit cards as the preferred payment method. (Flowlu)
  2. Buy Now Pay Later is used by 20% of US online shoppers. BNPL services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm continue to grow market share. (OptinMonster)
  3. Apple Pay holds 6.21% of online payment market share. Mobile wallet adoption accelerates as contactless payments become standard. (Money Transfers)
  4. Digital wallets will represent 51.4% of cross-border payments in 2026. Payment flexibility has become essential for international selling. (Precedence Research)

Cross-Border Ecommerce Statistics

International ecommerce opens significant growth opportunities for brands willing to expand beyond their home markets. Consumer expectations around localisation continue to rise.


  1. The global cross-border ecommerce market will reach $636.34 billion in 2026. Growing at a CAGR of 15.44%, the market will exceed $2 trillion by 2034. (Precedence Research)
  2. Over 57% of online shoppers have purchased from overseas retailers. Cross-border commerce has become mainstream consumer behaviour globally. (Capital One Shopping)
  3. 75% of international shoppers want to buy in their native language. Localisation significantly impacts conversion rates for cross-border sellers. (Shopify Enterprise)
  4. 92% of global consumers prefer local currency pricing. 33% will abandon a purchase if prices are only shown in US dollars. (Shopify Enterprise)
  5. Chinese platforms dominate cross-border purchases at 40% share. Temu, AliExpress, and Shein have captured significant international market share. (Statista)

AI and Personalisation Statistics

Artificial intelligence is transforming how ecommerce businesses engage customers. From product recommendations to dynamic pricing, AI-driven personalisation delivers measurable returns.


  1. The AI ecommerce market is valued at $8.65 billion in 2025. The market is expected to reach $22.60 billion by 2032, with 78% of organisations now using AI in at least one business function. (Netguru)
  2. AI-driven personalisation increases conversion rates by 15-25%. Companies using AI report five to eight times return on marketing spend. (Cross-Border Commerce Europe)
  3. 88% of online customers now expect personalised experiences. This represents a 66% increase in just two years, according to Salesforce research. (Envive)
  4. Product recommendations can drive up to 31% of ecommerce revenue. For sessions where customers engage with recommendations, the revenue impact is substantial. (Envive)
  5. 91% of retail IT leaders prioritise AI as the top technology for 2026. Investment in AI capabilities continues to accelerate across the sector. (Anchor Group)
  6. AI-powered recommendations increase average order value by 15-25%. More than 40% of retailers already use AI tools for personalisation, pricing, and logistics. (OptinMonster)

Ecommerce Returns Statistics

Returns represent a significant cost centre for online retailers. With return rates substantially higher than physical stores, managing reverse logistics efficiently has become a competitive advantage.


  1. 17-18% of online orders are returned on average. This compares to just 8-10% for in-store purchases. (Red Stag Fulfillment)
  2. US retail returns reached $890 billion in 2024. The scale of returned merchandise is prompting retailers to re-evaluate supply chain resilience. (CEP Research)
  3. Apparel return rates range from 20% to 50%. Size and fit issues drive the highest return rates in fashion categories. (Wiser Review)
  4. Processing a return costs retailers $10-20 per item. This includes reverse logistics, inspection, restocking, and potential markdowns. (SmartRoutes)
  5. 77% of shoppers check return policies before purchasing. Return policies have become a deciding factor in purchase decisions. (Wiser Review)
  6. 67% refuse to buy again after a negative return experience. The post-purchase experience significantly impacts customer lifetime value. (SmartRoutes)

B2B Ecommerce Statistics

Business-to-business ecommerce dwarfs consumer markets in total value. Digital transformation continues to reshape how businesses buy and sell to each other.


  1. The global B2B ecommerce market is valued at $36 trillion by 2026. B2B represents a significantly larger opportunity than B2C retail. (Flowlu)
  2. Asia-Pacific will comprise 80% of B2B market share by 2026. Manufacturing and wholesale drive substantial B2B transaction volumes in the region. (Shopify Enterprise)
  3. B2C accounts for 79.6% of cross-border ecommerce by segment. Consumer transactions dominate international ecommerce volume. (Precedence Research)