The realm of ecommerce is highly competitive, fast-paced and is continually changing. Recent years have seen the introduction of key issues such as a pandemic, logistical nightmares and labor shortages. 2022 will have ecommerce companies continuing to navigate those problems while also looking to meet the ever-rising expectations of consumers.
Here are four bold predictions of how ecommerce businesses will charge headlong into the fray in 2022.
Increased Investment in Data Tools
Delivery for the last mile continues to become faster. Ecommerce giants such as Walmart and Amazon recently began offering same day delivery on select items while gig industry leader Instacart went even further by offering 15-minute delivery.
As the bottleneck in shipping continues to be a problem, supply chain visibility is becoming critical as seen with the Federal Trade Commission’s request for information regarding shipping issues to be supplied to them from companies like Amazon and Walmart.
Consumers expect Amazon logistical precedents to be the industry standard and ecommerce companies are striving to meet those standards. Without the proper tools and software, this task is impossible. Look for ecommerce businesses to invest more in data tools to make that a reality.
Livestreaming Marketing Increases
TikTok and Instagram are reviving the QVC sales format with shoppable livestreams, but with added engagement through their social media apps and partnerships with mega influencers such as Addison Rae.
Roughly 30% of China’s population participated and bought from shoppable livestreams in 2020 which is typically a strong indicator for trends that will later take hold in the West. Expect livestream marketing to see greater growth in 2022.
Next, look at some digital marketing statistics for 2022 to see who’s doing what online.
Growth of Circular Ecommerce
People are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and want to purchase eco-friendly products with sustainability in mind. Thrifting platforms such as the RealReal, threadUP and Everlane will become increasingly popular as circular ecommerce becomes more diverse with companies like IKEA launching buyback programs as well. In fact, according to Bazaar the secondhand clothing market is on pace to be larger than the fast fashion market by 2030.
Packaging: The “new storefront”
As more people are shopping online than ever before ecommerce businesses are looking to stand out from the competition by creating a unique sales experience and replicate the storefront window through their packaging. Ecommerce retailers globally are spending an estimated $49 billion yearly on packaging but have yet to use it to its fullest potential.
Many businesses are going green by eliminating plastic and employing environmentally-friendly/recycled packaging. Being eco-friendly and providing a simple, unique and personalized shopping experience through packaging will increase in adoption in 2022 and beyond.
Staying well informed on the current and expected trends in ecommerce will allow you to be proactive as an ecommerce retailer in adapting in the always competitive retail market.
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