Selling on social media, sustainable buying and cross-country trade are key trends in e-commerce

The rise of online selling on social media, sustainable buying and online commerce between countries is the main finding of the study Online Shopper Trends Report DHL, the result of a recent survey of 12,000 buyers in 24 global markets.

“As e-commerce evolves, consumers are more demanding about their shopping experiences. Convenience, transparency and sustainability are no longer additional benefits, but essential elements in the customer journey. Retailers meeting these preferences can increase their conversion rate, keep customers loyal and satisfied. Logistics plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, with 80% of shoppers stating that the provider influences their purchase decisions”, says Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce, responsible for the report.

The research, which looks at consumer e-commerce habits, details the top three personas emerging from the study. Despite the differences, they are all price-sensitive.The report offers tools for online retailers to excel in this competitive market. 

Social Media Buyers -  they are dynamic people, usually under 45, who prefer the convenience of buying through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. With 51% buying online two to three times a week, they purchase clothes, beauty products and household items. They value personalized experiences, exclusive products and good service, with 76% considering the important sustainability. They seek discounts (80%) and reduced prices (90%). Delivery options influence their decisions, and 64% have online shopping subscriptions.

Sustainable Buyers they are environmentally conscious consumers, also mostly under 45. They buy clothes, beauty products and household items online, with 31% shopping two to three times a week. They require high quality images and variety for informed decisions. Although they value convenience, 73% want to know the CO2 emissions of deliveries and 43% accept longer deadlines to reduce the carbon footprint of their purchases. They also seek discounts (79%) and expect sustainable options to come to a standard in the market. 

Cross-border buyers (cross border) they are adventurous, usually under 45 years old, seeking better prices, quality and unique products abroad.Predominantly in Europe and APAC, 75% buy from international retailers monthly and 17% weekly. The most purchased products are clothing, electronics and cosmetics. Costs and delivery options influence their choices, with 38% abandoning the cart due to high rates. They are price sensitive, with 54% buying out to save and 46% seeking variety.

“In DHL Global Forwarding, we are committed to providing comprehensive international shipping solutions for the e-commerce industry.Our expertise in international freight forwarding, warehousing, customs clearance and integrated logistics enables us to optimize the entire supply chain, ensuring products reach customers quickly and efficiently”, said Eric Brenner, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding in Brazil. 

“In addition, our advanced IT solutions provide real-time tracking and cargo management, improving the experience of the export and import industry”. According to Eric, the company has been working on solutions that collaborate with sustainable measures. “We also focus on sustainable practices, using alternative fuels and optimizing routes to reduce the carbon footprint. With these initiatives, we continue to support the growth of global e-commerce in a responsible and innovative way,” concludes the CEO.

The full report Online Trends Shopper Report by DHL (dhl.com/online-shopper-trends) includes five chapters and 19 studies per country (dhl.com/country-reports), addressing topics such as e-commerce trends, online shopping, deliveries and returns, cross-border shopping and consumer profiles. Also access the chapter “In addition to the” Cart (dhl.com/beyond-the-basket)