Future trends and moonshots

From emerging technologies to innovative business strategies, the landscape of online retail is constantly shifting—and it can be hard to keep up.

But never fear, we’re here to guide you through what’s next in commerce and how you can future-proof your business.

Let's get started!

The emergence of voice commerce

Voice-activated shopping

With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri, voice commerce is becoming a significant trend in ecommerce.

Shoppers can use voice commands to search for products, add items to their carts, and even complete purchases—making the shopping experience more convenient and hands-free.

For example, Walmart has partnered with Google Assistant to enable voice shopping, allowing customers to search for and purchase products using voice commands. This integration has helped Walmart stay competitive and attract tech-savvy customers.

Voice search optimization

A study by Voicebot.ai predicts that voice shopping will reach $40 billion in the U.S. and $5 billion in the U.K. by 2022. As voice commerce continues to grow, businesses must optimize their platforms for voice search and integrate with voice assistants to stay competitive.

Strategies include focusing on long-tail keywords, using conversational language, and providing clear, concise answers to common customer questions. By optimizing your site for voice search, you can ensure that your products are easily discoverable and accessible to customers using voice assistants.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

From the experts

“It's fascinating to see how AI can influence consumers and their purchase decisions.

Advanced algorithms can predict demand, optimize the way your products are presented, improve logistics and supply chain management, and ensure a personalized shopping experience.

The technology creates a win-win situation: you are likely to increase sales while the shoppers feel seen as they can find products that are of interest to them immediately.” - Nebojsa Savicic, Co-founder, Plainly

Personalization and product recommendations

“It's fascinating to see how AI can influence consumers and their purchase decisions. Advanced algorithms can predict demand, optimize the way your products are presented, improve logistics and supply chain management, and ensure a personalized shopping experience. The technology creates a win-win situation: you are likely to increase sales while the shoppers feel seen as they can find products that are of interest to them immediately.” - Nebojsa Savicic, Co-founder, Plainly

AI and machine learning have revolutionized the way ecommerce businesses operate. Companies like Amazon and Netflix use AI algorithms to provide personalized recommendations to users, improving the shopping experience and increasing customer engagement.

As these technologies continue to advance, personalization will become even more sophisticated and effective.

Chatbots and customer support

AI-powered chatbots have become a popular customer support tool, handling basic questions and guiding customers through the purchasing process. Many businesses have started using chatbots to save time and resources while providing a convenient and helpful customer experience.

AI-powered inventory management and supply chain optimization

AI technologies can also be utilized for inventory management and supply chain optimization.

Ecommerce giants like Amazon and Walmart use AI algorithms to predict demand, optimize inventory levels, and streamline their supply chains, leading to cost savings and increased efficiency.

Mobile commerce and mobile payments

The growth of mobile commerce

According to Statista, global mobile commerce sales are projected to reach $3.56 trillion by 2025, accounting for 72.9% of total ecommerce sales. Optimizing online stores for mobile users has become essential for businesses to remain competitive in the market.

Several brands have embraced mobile commerce by developing user-friendly apps that make shopping on the go a breeze. For example, Nike, a leading sportswear and athletic footwear retailer, offers a mobile app called the "Nike App" that streamlines the browsing and purchasing process, allowing customers to shop with ease from their smartphones.

The app also provides personalized recommendations, exclusive products, and access to the latest product releases, enhancing the overall shopping experience for Nike customers.

Mobile payment options

Mobile payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal have made online transactions faster and more convenient for customers. The adoption of these payment methods continues to grow, and ecommerce businesses should prioritize integrating them into their platforms.

The Starbucks app allows customers to order, pay, and collect rewards points all in one place.

By making mobile payments an integral part of the customer experience, Starbucks has seen increased customer loyalty and streamlined in-store operations.

The importance of sustainability and ethical shopping

Consumer demand for sustainable options

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and social impact of their purchases.

Ecommerce businesses should prioritize offering sustainable and ethically-sourced products to cater to this growing demand. Patagonia, a popular outdoor clothing company, has long been committed to ethical and sustainable practices, which has strengthened their brand image and attracted loyal customers.

Another company that has successfully embraced sustainability is Allbirds, a shoe brand known for its eco-friendly materials and production processes.

By highlighting its commitment to sustainability, Allbirds has distinguished itself from competitors and built a strong customer base.

Circular economy and waste reduction

The circular economy is a concept that promotes the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials.

Many ecommerce businesses have started to adopt circular economy principles, with companies like Loop creating reusable packaging solutions to minimize waste.

Loop partners with well-known brands to offer products in durable, reusable packaging, which customers return to the company for cleaning and reuse.

Ethical supply chain management

In addition to prioritizing sustainable products, ecommerce businesses must also focus on ethical supply chain management.

This involves ensuring fair labor practices, promoting transparency, and minimizing environmental impacts throughout the production process.

Prioritize data privacy and security

Invest in robust security measures

In the age of data breaches and privacy scandals, customers are increasingly concerned about data privacy and security.

Prioritize data protection by investing in top-of-the-line security measures like SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular security audits. Compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA is also essential to protect your customers and avoid legal consequences.

Implement strong authentication measures

Consider implementing two-factor authentication and other security measures to protect your customers' data. Strong authentication measures can help prevent unauthorized access to customer accounts and build trust with your customers.

Embrace niche marketing

Target-specific audience segments

Niche marketing involves targeting a specific audience segment that shares common interests or needs. By creating tailored marketing campaigns and building a loyal customer base that's passionate about your brand, you can set your business up for long-term success.

Identify a niche audience segment and create targeted marketing campaigns that address their unique pain points. This approach can help your business stand out from competitors and resonate with your target audience.

Partner with niche influencers and publications

Collaborating with niche influencers and publications can help you reach your target audience more effectively. These partnerships can increase brand credibility, drive targeted traffic to your online store, and create a strong connection with your niche audience.

[BONUS] Your friendly neighborhood AI’s predictions for new commerce trends by decade

2030s

• Widespread adoption of virtual and augmented reality in shopping experiences
• Integration of AI in personalized marketing and customer service
• Expansion of sustainable and circular business models

2040s

• Transition to a fully connected Internet of Things (IoT) retail ecosystem
• Widespread use of blockchain technology for supply chain transparency
• Significant growth of space commerce

2050s

• Emergence of new digital currencies and payment methods
• Adoption of self-sustaining, zero-waste retail environments
• Advanced robotics and automation transforming the retail workforce

2060s

• Development of on-demand, localized manufacturing (3D printing)
• Integration of biometric authentication in commerce
• Evolution of smart cities influencing retail infrastructure

2070s

• Expansion of brain-computer interfaces in shopping experiences
• Advances in nanotechnology impacting product design and manufacturing
• Customizable, adaptive retail environments

2080s

• Widespread use of quantum computing in commerce
• Proliferation of autonomous, AI-driven stores
• Transition to completely decentralized marketplaces

2090s

• Development of advanced holographic displays for retail
• Increased use of renewable energy sources in commerce
• Expansion of interplanetary commerce

2100s

• Integration of advanced teleportation technology for instant delivery
• Retail experiences driven by advanced AI simulations
• Widespread adoption of sentient AI in commerce

2110s

• Emergence of new materials and manufacturing techniques
• Development of personalized, on-demand product creation
• Growth of commerce driven by advanced AI algorithms

2120s

• Integration of advanced molecular manufacturing in retail
• Expansion of virtual, AI-driven shopping environments
• Development of adaptive, self-regulating retail ecosystem

Key takeaways

Today, we've delved into a range of essential strategies to future-proof your business and unlock the numerous opportunities that lie ahead. From integrating voice commerce and AI to optimizing your online store for mobile devices, the world of ecommerce offers a wealth of exciting innovations to explore.

But, the journey doesn't end there!

Prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices (because a planet-friendly brand is always in style), building a community-driven brand that fosters strong customer connections, ensuring data privacy and security, and targeting niche markets—all of these strategies will contribute to the long-term success of your business in the dynamic world of ecommerce.

So, are you ready to seize the moment?

Stay informed about industry developments, remain adaptable, and continue to strive for innovation.

Now is the perfect time to embrace the bright future of ecommerce and showcase your business's potential.

Together, let's navigate the ever-evolving landscape of ecommerce, achieve remarkable success, and build a lasting brand that customers will truly love. ❤️