Global Ecommerce Sales Growth Report for 2021-2026
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by Greg Bernhardt
Global Ecommerce Growth
Global ecommerce sales are expected to total $6.3 trillion worldwide in 2023. This number is expected to continue growing over the next few years, proving that ecommerce is becoming an increasingly lucrative option for businesses.
It also marks a 10.4% annual increase—the second-fastest global ecommerce sales growth rate in the forecast period between 2021 and 2026.
Plus, of the total global retail sales in 2023, 20.8% is expected to come from online purchases. That is, over $0.20 of every $1 spent on retail goods this year will be done over the internet.
Online sales are expected to continue rising and take a larger piece of the retail pie. By 2026, it's estimated that world retail ecommerce sales will exceed $8.1 trillion and the overall ecommerce share of retail sales will hit 24%.
Just who are the biggest players driving the world of online shopping and where is the biggest market located?
Global Ecommerce Sales: Largest Contributors
As the world's top exporter, China is also the world's top ecommerce market, with total online sales exceeding the $1.5 trillion mark in 2022. Together with the United States, ecommerce sales from these two countries totaled more than $2.4 trillion.
It should come as no surprise then, that some of the world's top ecommerce companies come from these two powerhouses. In fact, more than half of the top ten hail from either China or the US.
COVID-19 and Mobile Accessibility Driving Ecommerce Sales Worldwide
This divide between online and in-store widened significantly in 2020 in 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. With brick-and-mortar stores shut to curb the spread of the virus, consumers flocked online to carry out their purchases. In fact, experts say the pandemic has accelerated the shift to online shopping by as many as five years.
But that's not the only reason ecommerce is on the rise.
The infiltration of technology into consumers' lives has more than helped to move things along. Figures from DataReportal's latest Global Overview Report show nearly the number of people shopping online worldwide grew 10% in 2022 to hit 3.78 billion. And up to 60.1% spent on these online purchases were attributed to mobile devices.
That said, it's no surprise that online sales are expected to continue growing as consumers feel increasingly comfortable with the ease of shopping on mobile devices.
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Global Ecommerce Growth FAQ
What is the growth rate of ecommerce?
The growth rate of ecommerce varies greatly from year to year, but overall it has been growing at a very rapid pace. In 2023, the global ecommerce market is estimated to be worth $6.3 trillion, a 10.4% increase over the previous year. Ecommerce growth is expected to continue in the coming years.
How much did ecommerce grow in 2022?
It is difficult to predict the exact growth of ecommerce in 2022 as there are many factors that can influence the growth of ecommerce, such as the global economy, technological advancements, and consumer trends.
Is ecommerce growing in 2023?
Yes, it is expected that ecommerce will continue to grow in 2023. In fact, many experts predict that ecommerce sales will grow by double digits due to the increasing digitalization of the world. This growth is expected to be driven by the growing number of shoppers and businesses using digital channels to purchase goods and services.
How big is the global ecommerce market?
The global ecommerce market is estimated to be worth around $6.3 trillion in 2023.
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