{"id":28407,"date":"2023-03-31T13:18:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T12:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/localhost:10003\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/"},"modified":"2024-07-24T13:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T12:03:33","slug":"the-future-of-ecommerce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of eCommerce: 2024 &amp; Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In the last decade, the eCommerce industry has grown exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/379046\/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In 2014, eCommerce sales amounted to approximately 1.3trillion USD worldwide. In 2022, 5.7 trillion, and by 2026, it\u2019s predicted that eCommerce sales will reach 8.1 trillion dollars.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s crazy to think about just how far the industry has come. It\u2019s even crazier to think about where it\u2019s going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The future of eCommerce is bright, but it\u2019s the responsibility of each and every one of us in the industry to ensure that its success doesn\u2019t come at the expense of environmental and social negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re going to explore that and more today, as we take a look at what the future of eCommerce looks like in tech, buying habits, discoverability, customer experiences, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grab your time machine, and let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In this article<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#automation\" >Automation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#sustainability\" >Sustainability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#voice-search\" >Voice search<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#new-ways-to-show-off-and-sell\" >New ways to show off and sell<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#more-ways-to-pay\" >More ways to pay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#virtual-and-augmented-reality\" >Virtual and augmented reality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/en_US\/resources\/ecommerce-insights\/the-future-of-ecommerce\/#head-into-the-future-of-ecommerce-with-j-j-global\" >Head into the future of eCommerce with J&amp;J Global<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"automation\"><\/span>Automation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Automation is often the first talking point when folks get together to discuss the future of eCommerce. Sophisticated automation is already common in eCommerce, whether that\u2019s in the form of automatic order processing, elements of <a href=\"\/en_US\/resources\/inventory-management\/a-guide-to-successful-returns-management\/\">returns management<\/a>, inventory management tools, smart analytics, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The big area of automation that will seriously take off in the next decade or so is robotics. That\u2019s right; the future is closer than you think, and for some companies, it\u2019s already here. Amazon, for example, has already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waredock.com\/magazine\/what-is-amazon-robotic-fulfillment-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">begun using robotics in some of its facilities.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"sustainability\"><\/span>Sustainability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Any serious conversation about the future of eCommerce needs to consider sustainability. eCommerce companies and their relationship with the environment are regularly featured in the mainstream media, and unfortunately, not always for the right reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/kotaku.com\/funko-pop-harry-potter-disney-mandalorian-landfill-1850278083\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$30million dollars worth of plastic figures going to landfill<\/a>, or the worrying size of carbon footprints generated by online returns, there\u2019s much more to do both the side of the customer and the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We predict that eCommerce companies will continue to innovate and educate in regards to environmentalism and sustainability, offering customers more ways to reduce their carbon footprint through carbon neutral delivery options, eco-friendly packaging, and informing customers about the environmental impact of returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"voice-search\"><\/span>Voice search<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Voice search isn\u2019t particularly new; smartphones have allowed users to search for things using their voice for over a decade now. Similarly, tech like Alexa and Google Nest are a staple of many homes across the world, whether we\u2019re looking for cooking inspiration, want to know the weather, or have a question on our minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, it\u2019s thought that <a href=\"https:\/\/kinsta.com\/blog\/ecommerce-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20% of Google searches are made through voice search.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Voice commerce is the next step in this evolution, and we predict that this new way of shopping will take off over the next decade. We\u2019re not simply talking about users using their voice to find products &#8211; we\u2019re talking about the whole works. Software that allows customers to ask questions, checkout, select payment options, check reviews and more, all through voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shopping online is already pretty simple, but voice search has the potential to take this simplicity even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"new-ways-to-show-off-and-sell\"><\/span>New ways to show off and sell<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some might say that there\u2019s enough shopping channels already. We can already buy things via websites, through countless social media platforms, on apps, and much more. But more channels are certainly on the horizon as new and exciting technologies emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A prime example of a relatively new channel that\u2019s primed for success is <a href=\"\/en_US\/order-fulfillment\/tiktok-fulfillment\/\">TikTok Shop<\/a>. TikTok is the perfect platform to showcase products in use, and make them appealing to the next generation of shoppers by hopping aboard trends, sprinkling in a bit of humour, or adding popular songs into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also going to be an increase in the number of marketing channels to tap into. Marketers may roll their eyes at this &#8211; as there\u2019s already more than enough channels to keep up with &#8211; but it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"more-ways-to-pay\"><\/span>More ways to pay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To pull back as many barriers as possible, it\u2019s in an eCommerce business\u2019 best interest to offer multiple ways to pay. Gone are the days where customers would have a few credit card options to make payments; we\u2019ve now got options like PayPal, <a href=\"\/en_US\/resources\/scale-up\/from-start-up-to-success-5-ecommerce-businesses-that-built-everything-from-nothing\/\">Klarna<\/a>, and Google Pay to allow for more flexible payment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Web3 and the Metaverse take off (see next topic), we\u2019re expecting even more ways to pay to become the norm. Crypto and other digital currencies, powered by wallets that update in real-time, could pave the way for more flexible payment options for a new generation of tech-savvy shoppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"virtual-and-augmented-reality\"><\/span>Virtual and augmented reality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s dreams of a Metaverse might be struggling to take off, there\u2019s no doubt that it\u2019s going to arrive in one form or another sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some might argue it\u2019s already here &#8211; with video games like Fortnite and Roblox essentially being live metaverses that combine popular media from dozens of IPs, allowing players to purchase cosmetic items to show off their personality and identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, several eCommerce industries already use augmented reality to power purchase decisions. Customers in the market for furniture and interior design can already see how products might fit into their spaces with AR; companies including Amazon and Wayfair are already doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another industry that has the potential to use augmented reality to its advantage is fashion. Many of us order clothes online that look great but simply don\u2019t suit us when we try them on, resulting in huge return rates. Imagine a world where we could try clothes on in augmented, or even virtual reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"head-into-the-future-of-ecommerce-with-j-j-global\"><\/span>Head into the future of eCommerce with J&amp;J Global<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here at J&amp;J Global Fulfilment, we\u2019re pretty excited about where eCommerce is going. There\u2019s going to be challenges, of course, but as far as we\u2019re concerned, that\u2019s all part of the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best ways to prepare for the future of eCommerce is to <a href=\"\/en_US\/order-fulfillment\/third-party-logistics\/\">partner with a 3PL<\/a>. We\u2019re already living in a world where customers expect next-day delivery as a minimum, and this is only going to get more prevalent as 3PLs continue to implement automation into the fulfillment operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare for the future of eCommerce by letting us <a href=\"\/en_US\/order-fulfillment\/\">store, pick, pack, and ship your products anywhere in the world<\/a>, while you get on with growing your business. Get in touch with one of our fulfillment specialists today by filling out this <a href=\"#requestQuote\">online form<\/a> or giving us a call on <a href=\"tel:01604968820\">+44 (0)1604 968 820<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the last decade, the eCommerce industry has grown exponentially. In 2014, eCommerce sales amounted to approximately 1.3trillion USD worldwide. In 2022, 5.7 trillion, and by 2026, it\u2019s predicted that eCommerce sales will reach 8.1 trillion dollars. It\u2019s crazy to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":28390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[377],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecommerce-insights"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"James Dillon","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Future-1-1.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Future-1-1.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Emma Dempsey","author_link":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/author\/emma-dempsey\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecommercefulfilment.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}