Shopping online (E-commerce) has recently exploded and that trend doesn't look like stopping any time soon.
Retailers of all types are expanding their product offerings and moving online, adding in-shop collection and free shipping as well as getting involved in social media and other web marketing to help promote their business.
Whether using more traditional desk tops and laptops or newer smart phones and other mobile devices or tablet computers consumer are finding many alternatives to the more traditional in-store shopping, which is causing this trends to really pick up.
Here are 10 E-commerce trends to look out for over the next few years:
- Retail Mobile Software Applications . Apps. Smartphones are now the dominant type of mobile phone and apps for all platforms are growing fast (especially Google Android and I-phone Apps. The apps that allow for price comparisons or that send out coupons, offers and vouchers are already among the most heavily used apps on the smart phones and often have great reviews but this trend has only just taken off.
- The Importance of Reviews. Flashy or gimmicky apps or features haven’t really taken off but consumers seem to be more influenced by user reviews so this is an area which will continue to grow.
- In-Shop Collection. In the past few months in the US many large retailers have implement in-shop collection for orders placed online, while some have even gone a step further by bringing online purchases out to their customers cars. Some are even testing home delivery or letting shoppers order groceries online and pick up at a drive through and these trends may well catch on in the UK.
- Pick up depots. Smaller retailers without a vast network of stores may open designated pick up locations for goods ordered online.
- Social networking & Social Retailing. Facebook and Twitter haven't even come close to being fully used yet. Consumers can and are increasingly selecting “like” or following favourite retailers and get discounts or tips on deals and many retailers are actually selling product via stores on Facebook and this is a trend that will continue to grow.
- Retail based social networks. Facebook really owns this space and a a few large retailers have tried and failed to create their own social networking groups of customers but their is likely to be growth in the use of smaller, focused sites who will create small groups or communities of like-minded users, especially for niche products.
- Daily Deals and Offers. This may seem like a very crowded playing field, but sites are continuously popping up so more retailers are still likely to still jump on this popular trend for some more time to come.
- Retailing & Marketing via Pictures & Video. Their is more likely to be more user-generated video and pictures on retail sites. Many retailers are letting customers upload video clips & pictures of themselves modeling or wearing new clothes or using / testing their new purchase and this is likely to increase.
- International Trading. As the internet as made the world much smaller, international or cross border e-commerce has been rapidly growing and this looks like continuing. Lots of small niche online retailers are now doing 10-20% of their sales outside of their own country.
- Deal Comparison Sites. As there is so much content going online the need for deal comparison will increase so the increase in this sites will continue to grow.
All of these E-commerce Trends are likely to mean increased choice and better value for consumers.
