AR shopping experiences
Online shopping is (mostly) more effortless than ever, but it still can’t always match the in-store experience, where customers can touch and feel products before buying. This is where augmented reality (AR) can provide a more immersive and interactive shopping experience.
With AR, shoppers can visualise products in their real-world environment before they buy. They can try virtual clothing, see how furniture would look in their living room, or test beauty products like cosmetics. This added level of interaction can improve customer confidence and encourage purchases.
The growth of the AR market is undeniable. In fact, Statista projects that the augmented reality and virtual reality market will reach €46.6 billion by the end of 2025, making it a trend you shouldn’t ignore.
Social is your new shopfront
The line between social media and ecommerce is becoming increasingly blurred. And with consumers wanting more convenient online experiences, data shows that sales through social networks now account for a fifth of all online sales.
So, what makes social commerce so appealing?
The short answer is that it eliminates friction from the shopping experience. How? Well, a customer can scroll through Instagram, spot an ad or an influencer recommendation, and buy without ever leaving the app. They have everything they need – product details, customer reviews, and checkout – right at their fingertips.
To excel in this space, it’s crucial to understand where your customers spend their time online. Are they fans of TikTok? Or do they prefer Pinterest? By tailoring your approach to their platform of choice, you can build strong communities, create seamless customer journeys, and convert social browsers into loyal shoppers – especially on mobile.
Want to explore consumer data showing the best social media platforms for ecommerce and get expert tips to boost performance? Go to our in-depth social media guide.
Authentic, sustainable credentials can differentiate
Unsurprisingly, sustainability remains a top priority for shoppers in 2025. What’s changed is how widespread this consciousness has become – it’s no longer limited to one demographic. Instead, shoppers of all ages and backgrounds increasingly make ethical, sustainable buying choices.
While ultra-low-cost ecommerce businesses are flooding the market with fast delivery and seamless shopping experiences, not all customers are lured by the lowest price.
“These big ecommerce platforms and businesses are intensifying competition with faster delivery and seamless shopping experiences,” explains Anouck Van der herten, Ecommerce Manager at Torfs. “This is raising the bar for traditional ecommerce and big question marks about the impact of ecommerce on the environment.”
But for businesses, this creates a golden opportunity. By showcasing your sustainable and ethical practices – whether through eco-friendly packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, or locally sourced products - you can stand out from the competition and align with the values of today’s shoppers who are actively looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Modern shoppers are more mindful
Not only are customers looking for sustainable options, but they’re also embracing a more mindful approach to shopping. And while 'mindful' can mean different things to different people, one trend stands out: shopping locally.
In 2025, ecommerce businesses can tap into this movement by focusing on localisation - showing customers they’re a genuine part of the community.
Aubrey Harper, Integrated Marketing and Content Lead at Klaviyo, predicts that shopping locally will take centre stage in the next few months.
“Ecommerce will be shaped by a duality in consumer behaviour: a desire for simplicity and quality while leveraging fast-paced digital innovation,” she explains.
“Consumers will prioritise high-quality, meaningful purchases, moving away from mass-produced goods. Trends such as the ‘shop local’ movement, a focus on wellness and mental health, and an impatience for quick solutions will drive consumer preferences.”
Personalisation is essential
Personalisation has been a cornerstone of successful ecommerce strategies for a while now, but targeting users based on traditional demographics like age or gender is a thing of the past.
Technological advancements are redefining personalisation, primarily through AI and machine learning. Now, even smaller businesses can hyper-personalise every aspect of the customer journey through advanced data collection and analysis.
Using these sophisticated technologies, you can analyse customer behaviour, preferences, and historical purchase data to create shopping experiences tailored to individual shoppers. They allow you to dynamically adapt your users' shopping feeds and offer them product recommendations based on their preferences to create a truly personal journey.
“Like many parts of ecommerce, personalisation is key,” explains Bram Elewaut, Head of Marcom at Foodbag. “How do you stay fresh and relevant week after week? How can you ensure customers stick with your brand while exploring competitors’ offerings?”
“Customers need more than a one-size-fits-all approach; they want tailored experiences and flexible services. Personalisation is essential to increase satisfaction, drive loyalty, and reduce churn.”
Make sure to use AI
Artificial intelligence will probably be the buzzword that defines the next decade. By now, we’re all familiar with how it can analyse data, improve customer journeys, and even optimise content. But, are you overlooking the simple but time-consuming manual tasks AI can take off our hands?
Ibrahim Özcan, Senior Partner Manager at Sendcloud, highlights this often-missed opportunity: “In 2025, the single most impactful way ecommerce businesses can use AI is by focusing on identifying the processes that consume the most time and resources – like manual tasks - and finding solutions to automate them.”
So, where can automation help the most? Ibrahim suggests focusing on areas like managing customer queries or tracking shipping issues. Tools like chatbots or predictive analytics can streamline these processes, freeing up valuable time for your team to focus on strategic work.
In 2025, AI can make almost any process smarter and more efficient.
Don’t forget about voice search
The growing use of voice-enabled smart devices is reshaping how consumers discover and purchase products. In 2025, voice search technology continues to gain traction, with recent data showing that 71% of consumers now prefer voice assistants for quick tasks like product searches and shopping.
Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant don’t just simplify transactions - they’re now powerful tools that can create tailored shopping experiences. By learning from user behaviour, they provide highly personalised recommendations and seamless pathways to purchase.
As Colleen Harrison, Global Partner Marketing Lead at Woo, notes, “In 2025, shopping experiences will move beyond Google search, becoming embedded in voice assistants, smart TVs, and other devices that support conversational commerce.”
With voice commands growing as a primary way for consumers to interact with brands, businesses must prioritise voice search optimisation to meet customers where they are - whether at home, in the car, or on the go.
