Key takeaways
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Global ecommerce growth: Retail ecommerce sales grew by 11% in 2024, reaching $6.3 trillion USD (Statista).
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Global dropshipping growth: The global dropshipping market was valued at $351.8 billion as of 2024, a 23.6% increase from the year prior. Experts predict a 24.39% average annual growth rate of dropshipping between 2020 and 2026, when the industry is projected to surpass $500 billion.
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Social commerce: TikTok projected sales to reach $20 billion globally this year, up from $4.4 billion USD in 2023.
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Sustainability: 68% of millennials and Gen Z shoppers actively sought eco-friendly brands in 2024 (NielsenIQ).
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Shipping & Fulfillment: According to FlashBox, 55% of consumers would switch to a competitor for faster delivery service.
As 2024 comes to a close, the world of ecommerce and dropshipping has been marked by unprecedented growth, technological innovation, and evolving consumer expectations. Businesses adapted to economic challenges, embraced emerging tools, and centred their strategies on sustainability and convenience to stay competitive. Here, we recap the top trends that defined the year and explore how these developments will influence the future of ecommerce in 2025 and beyond.
Sustainability at the Forefront
Sustainability continues to be a significant factor influencing customers buying decisions in 2024, with eco-conscious consumers prioritizing brands that take meaningful steps toward reducing their environmental impact. This not only applies to eco-friendly packaging, but also the overall environmental impact of each product from manufacturing to shipping.
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Consumer preferences: According to a 2024 NielsenIQ report, 69% of global shoppers actively seek products with sustainable packaging, and over 50% prefer brands with transparent environmental policies.
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Brand success stories: B-Corp certified beauty brands gained traction in 2024, as consumers increasingly favored businesses with verified commitments to social and environmental impact, transparency, and accountability. These certifications further reinforced trust among eco-conscious shoppers looking for brands that prioritize people and the planet. Blanka’s vegan and cruelty-free private-label skincare products allowed brands to align with these values effortlessly.
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Takeaway for 2025: Sustainability is no longer just a trend—it’s an expectation. Businesses should consider focusing on ethical sourcing, eco-friendly packaging, and carbon-neutral shipping solutions.
Dropshipping Evolution
The global dropshipping market was valued at $351.8 billion as of 2024, a 23.6% increase from the year prior. Experts predict a 24.39% average annual growth rate of dropshipping between 2020 and 2026, when the industry is projected to surpass $500 billion. As dropshipping continues there are now more tools than ever to grow and optimize dropshipping business, with platforms like Blanka reinventing the industry.
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Dropshipping as testing grounds: Dropshipping became an invaluable tool for brands testing new product categories and entering untapped markets.
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Platforms that simplified operations: Shopify became the forefront in dropshipping because of its seamless supplier integrations, making it easier than ever to manage your business by having the storefront and dropshipping operations all in one platform.
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Takeaway for 2025: Dropshipping has drastically changed from when it first gained traction among budding entrepreneurs but as it evolves, it remains a powerful model for starting and scaling businesses. Learn how Blanka can help you launch your dropshipping business seamlessly within minutes and with over hundreds of premium products ready for your dream beauty brand.
Start your dropshipping business in 2025 with Blanka →
Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce) and Enhanced Logistics and Fulfillment
Efficient and reliable logistics were key to retaining customers in 2024 when trends cycled faster than ever before. Businesses had to adapt quickly to ensure on-time delivery, meet rising customer expectations, and minimize disruptions.
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AI-driven innovation: Delivery businesses used AI-powered tools like route optimization and predictive analytics to streamline shipping processes.
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Local fulfillment: The rise of micro-fulfillment centres brought faster delivery options, satisfying the growing demand for rapid shipping.
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Takeaway for 2025: Businesses should continue to invest in fulfillment strategies that enhance speed, transparency, and reliability. Look into SaaS solutions like ShipStation for managing shipping operations efficiently and easy integration to your ecommerce platform.
The Rise of TikTok Shop
TikTok started the viral content phenomenon, making it easy for brands to be discovered, and it continued to become a cornerstone for social commerce in 2024, solidifying its place as a critical platform for product discovery and engagement. TikTok projected sales to reach $20 billion globally in 2024, up from $4.4 billion USD last year.
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Go viral while boosting revenue: Features like TikTok Shop allowed consumers to buy products directly through the app, streamlining the shopping journey. This, coupled with engaging content like user-generated content (UGC), viral trends, and influencer collaborations, helped brands expand their reach while boosting sales. A recent Shopify report revealed that 43% of brands saw an increase in sales after leveraging influencer partnerships on TikTok.
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Takeaway for 2025: Social commerce is expected to grow even further. Leverage TikTok’s potential with Blanka’s TikTok Shop integrations to connect with a highly engaged audience. This is also the best time to enhance your omnichannel strategy to unify and streamline your customer's shopping experience across all your platforms.
Mobile Commerce Growth
Mobile commerce dominated online sales in 2024, accounting for over 60% of global ecommerce transactions, with mobile commerce sales reaching an estimated $4.7 trillion USD globally. This growth was driven by improved mobile optimization, faster checkout options, and the widespread use of mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
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Optimized storefronts: Brands switched focus to mobile-friendly designs, fast-loading pages, and seamless mobile-friendly payment options to reduce cart abandonment. Mobile payment gateways like Apple Pay and Google Wallet became essential for providing convenience.
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Takeaway for 2025: A mobile-first strategy is no longer optional for a successful ecommerce brand. Ensure your store offers a seamless experience for mobile users to maximize conversions.
Existing Brands Expanding with New Categories
Established brands used dropshipping to test and launch products in new categories, minimizing risk and maximizing market opportunities. According to a 2024 Shopify report, 40% of e-commerce brands used dropshipping to experiment with new product lines before scaling production. Whether it’s to sell merch items like tshirt and tote bags, or expanding an existing collection, this strategy allowed businesses to validate demand and reduce risks and upfront costs.
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Success stories: Brands that expanded into skincare, wellness, and eco-friendly products experienced notable success. The global wellness market alone grew to an estimated $6.8 trillion USD in 2024 and is expected to hit $9 trillion USD by 2028, highlighting the vast opportunities for category expansion.
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Blanka’s Role: Blanka provided brands with easy access to private label products, enabling rapid launches without operational headaches, particularly in high- demand niches like skincare, makeup, and men's beauty.
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Takeaway for 2025: Expanding into new product lines can help existing businesses increase revenue, diversify offerings, and capitalize on emerging trends.
Launch Your Business with Blanka
The trends of 2024—from sustainability to AI-powered personalization—have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting year in ecommerce. By adapting to these changes and embracing innovative tools and strategies, businesses can thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Ready to make 2025 your breakout year? Partner with Blanka to launch and grow your business, whether you’re looking to simplify your operations, expand your product offerings, or start a new business. We’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
