As the COVID pandemic continues to impact the world, online marketplaces and industries continue to be part of mainstream purchasing. Ecommerce has grown at a massive rate globally, hitting a value of almost $5 trillion in 2021. With this increased usage comes new purchasing habits and products becoming popular, as well as digital and scams fraud taking more from consumers than ever before.
Here are 4 of the main Ecommerce trends for 2022:
Curbside Pickup Becoming Popular
Also known as ‘’Buy Online Pick-Up In Store’, this trend has become more popular as COVID restrictions have been easing. With more people returning to in-store shopping and activities such as restaurants, there’s still many whose comfort level isn’t quite there yet.
Curbside pick-up offers the best of both worlds – consumers are able to browse and purchase products online, then pick them up at the store when able to. Besides spending less time in-store, consumers also prefer it as they are able to get items quicker than when delivered. So much so that it’s estimated to make up 40% of all online orders.
Social Media Growing As Shopping Channel
Social commerce has been used for a number of years, but since the pandemic – and subsequently being online more – digital consumers have been turning to it more as a purchasing channel. 61% of consumers have stated that they will use it more for future purchases, with one of the main reasons being that it gives them access/awareness to unique items.
Digital Fraud Still Rising
An increase in time spent online will sadly always be coupled with an increase of online frauds and scams. Between 2020-21, there was an 18% increase in fraudulent activity online with the overall figure totalling over $20 billion. Among the worst hit industries, omnichannel retail has seen a 50% increase, and digital wallets saw 33%. On the other side, Fraud Detection and Prevention market has also seen a 19% uplift, currently valued at $33.6 million.
Health/WFH Products Largest Online Sales Increases
Anyone reading this from their home office won’t be surprised with this trend. With more time being spent at home since March 2020, a key consumer trend has been around improving living spaces to be healthier and more work-friendly.
Air treatment and water filter products are amongst the largest ecommerce purchasing increases, at 14% and 23% respectively. Now that home and hybrid working (office/home) has become a part of modern life, electronic products such as monitors and headsets are amongst the largest increases, both growing by 31%.
For more Ecommerce trends, stats, and insights going into 2022, see Website Builder Expert’s new infographic below:
