The Internet has changed the way we live and shop. Most of us now opt to shop online since it’s easier, more efficient, and less time-consuming than going out. For businesses, this is good news since they no longer have to compete with brick-and-mortar stores for foot traffic. But because of the rising number of online shoppers, this also means that these businesses now have to contend with stiffer competition than ever before.
eCommerce Trends to Look Out For in 2022
Here are some eCommerce trends that will be in play next year.
1. In-store eCommerce Integration
Businesses that want to stay competitive have been revamping their stores to look more pleasing and attractive since research has shown that customers buy more products when they’re shopping in a store rather than online. In the coming years, expect to see businesses integrate eCommerce capabilities into brick-and-mortar stores.
2. mCommerce
As smartphones and other mobile devices become more advanced, you can expect to see a lot more customers shopping on their mobile devices. We can already see this trend gaining traction as eCommerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart launch their mobile apps for iOS and Android users. It’s also around that time that we’ll be seeing the same functions of these apps integrated into physical retail locations. This will allow shoppers to check out via their mobile devices even when they’re outside the house.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) Enabled Commerce Websites/Apps
While virtual reality is still in its early stages, augmented reality has been getting a lot of attention lately too because of its ability to make users feel like they’re shopping in the real world. This will be done through mobile apps/websites that can show them how products look in real life. This is useful for shoppers who don’t want to purchase products online without seeing, touching, or trying them out first.
4. Shoppable Videos
By 2022, there’s a good chance that even more businesses will start using shoppable videos to influence buying decisions especially among millennials and younger generations. Research shows that this demographic is more likely to be influenced by product videos versus traditional advertisements.
5. Virtual Shopping Assistance
Already popular in Asia Pacific countries such as China, virtual shopping assistance services are starting to gain traction in the US. This is because it allows online shoppers to get assistance online through live chat, video calls, or messaging apps (e.g. WeChat).
6. Publicly Traded eCommerce Companies
Since the eCommerce industry has started gaining traction over the past few years, more and more businesses are entering this space which means more competition for existing brands. To remain competitive, expect to see several publicly traded companies that allow anyone to invest in them via stock markets. Overall, this will be good news for eCommerce customers since more new shopping options will become available regularly.
7. More Data Collection Tools
It’s no secret that targeted ads work better than non targeted advertisements especially when it comes to conversions among millennials. This is why eCommerce companies, regardless of whether they’re B2C or B2B focused, will want to use more data collection tools in the future to capture as much information about their customers as possible. Some companies are already doing this today which means that by 2022, it will be a common marketing practice among most mainstream brands.
8. More Security/Safety Measures
There have been a lot of high-profile hackers who have caused businesses millions of dollars due to security breaches and other forms of cyber-attacks. As a result, we may see eCommerce businesses beef up their security measures over the next few years especially those websites that deal with sensitive customer information such as financial and social security numbers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that eCommerce will continue to grow exponentially in the coming years. What remains to be seen is how businesses will meet the demands of the latest technologies and find new ways to keep customers coming back for more.
Zara Raza is the Head of Marketing at Sunvera Software. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine, in 2019, and has written several blogs on technology, software, marketing, education, business, and more.
