Last year saw a dramatic shift in trends across industries. The world, plagued by a pandemic that’s far from over, has had to adapt; and adapt fast. For the industries that could keep up, or remain relevant, a world of new opportunities erupted online in the form of eCommerce. The online marketplace exploded from small local businesses forced to sell their products online to restaurants adapting to an entirely take-out-focused offering and everything in between.

Last year’s trends, so eagerly anticipated at the start of 2020, were thrown off course and replaced by a shift of consumer and vendor behaviours that were unexpected on all levels. Suddenly, products needed more ‘value’ to be with the expenditure, while brands touting convenience flourished.

As 2021 begins, we again find ourselves predicting the trends of the next twelve months, however this year, we are all a little more apprehensive. Our predictions could just as easily be thrown out with the water when a new paradigm shift appears, but what is more likely than not is that the best of both worlds (pre-covid and with-covid) remains and an exciting, innovative and profitable future in the post-covid world remains.

So, with data, findings, and personal experiences combined here is our list of the biggest eCommerce trends or online shopping trends, we expect to see in 2021.

Online Shopping Will Take Over Retail

As our shopping habits move online – out of preference or because of lockdowns – digital eCommerce is set to eclipse traditional shop-front retail for the first time in certain markets. Although a long time in the making, with people stuck at home, online shopping has become the norm. You only need to look at how much more money Amazon’s Jeff Bezos made in the last year to see why.

Convenience Will Rule

Convenience, whether its ease of sale, speedy delivery or anything in-between, consumers are looking for convenience over anything else. Influenced by the “Buy Now!” CTA buttons and next-day delivery options on the larger online stores, consumers are becoming more accustomed to enjoying their URL purchases IRL faster than ever before. Digital-first brands and even digital-only brands will become more common, especially in markets traditionally thought of as requiring a physical element such as apparel.

Mobile Shopping Comes First

Shopping on mobile devices is already commonplace, but using a mobile phone as a shopping tool is what will come into its own in 2021. Apps designed for dedicated brand shopping or one-click orders will join the party, as well as mobile phone payment gateways like Apple Pay becoming the standard due to the touchless society we are building. Online wallets may not overtake credit and debit cards just yet, but global demand for flexible and alternative payment solutions on a mobile phone is what will set 2021 apart as a year that breaks the mould for traditional online shopping and payment systems.

Social Media Shopping Will Grow

Shopping on social media platforms is already taking off, but it is currently unable to compete with dedicated eCommerce platforms. Although we believe that eCommerce websites will still reign for years to come – which is why you should invest in a dedicated and professional website development agency to build an eCommerce store that is reliable, functional and attracts customers online – social media shopping will enter into its own more in the next twelve months. Instagram currently dominates this space, and secondary platforms like Facebook and TikTok have already announced plans to further invest in eCommerce on their sites.

Whichever side of the fence you currently sit on, there is a wealth of opportunities ahead of you in 2021. By hiring a talented UK eCommerce development agency to create a website, manage your digital marketing, and marry your offline and online presence to create a cohesive and attractive brand for modern-day online shoppers, you can get a step ahead of the trends (and your competitors) before the integrated eCommerce world has been fully realised.