$5.8 trillion in sales, 2 billion shoppers, and growing — here is everything you need to know about global e-commerce.
Market Overview
Global e-commerce sales reached $5.8 trillion in 2023, representing 20% of total retail sales globally — up from just 14% in 2019. The pandemic-era acceleration has proven structural rather than temporary, with online retail continuing to gain share.
Regional Breakdown
Asia-Pacific dominates global e-commerce with 65% market share, driven primarily by China ($2.1T) and fast-growing Southeast Asian markets. North America represents 20% with the US market valued at $1.1 trillion. Europe accounts for 12%.
Mobile Commerce
Mobile devices now account for 72% of e-commerce transactions globally, up from 63% in 2020. Super-apps in Asia, where shopping, payments, and social media converge in a single platform, have driven mobile commerce to near 90% penetration in markets like China and Indonesia.
Social Commerce
Social commerce — purchases made directly through social media platforms — generated $1.3 trillion in sales in 2023, primarily in China. TikTok Shop launched in the US and UK in 2023, bringing live-stream shopping to Western audiences for the first time at scale.