Shopping on the Go: Mobile Commerce Trends You Should Know in 2025
Buying things on your phone or tablet isn’t just convenient—it’s becoming the norm. In 2025, mobile commerce (m-commerce) is a major part of how people shop online. Here’s what you need to know—and how it all adds up.
What’s going on with mobile commerce?
- Retail m-commerce sales in the U.S. are around $564 billion and are projected to grow to over $850 billion by 2027.
- Mobile purchases make up 38% of all digital spending in the U.S.
- Globally, m-commerce brings in over $2 trillion, which is about 57% of all e-commerce sales worldwide.
- More than half of online sales during Cyber Week happen on mobile devices.
Why is mobile shopping growing so fast?
- Convenience: 3 out of 4 consumers say they buy on mobile because it saves time.
- Research on-the-go: About 74% of U.S. shoppers use their mobile device for product research even when in store.
- Mobile payments: Nearly half of online transactions worldwide are done via mobile wallets.
- Mobile dominance: Over 61% of Google searches come from mobile devices.
All this means if your brand or business isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out.
Apps vs Mobile Websites: What’s the difference?
- Mobile apps see higher conversion rates, lower abandonment, more product views per session.
- For example: mobile shopping apps have about a 20% cart abandonment rate, versus 68% for desktop and 97% for mobile websites.
- In other words: a smooth, user-friendly mobile experience makes a big difference.
What this means for shoppers and businesses
If you’re someone buying online:
- Expect more of your favourite stores to work smoothly on mobile.
- Use your phone for research, price-comparison and buying—it’s already how many of us do things.
If you’re a business or brand:
- Prioritize mobile shopping experiences—especially apps and mobile-friendly sites.
- Invest in mobile payments and make checkout as simple as a tap.
- Understand that mobile isn’t just a trend—it’s central to online retail now.
Mobile commerce is no longer the future—it’s the now. With billions of dollars shifting to mobile purchases and mobile devices leading the way in how we discover, research and buy, both shoppers and sellers need to be ready. Whether you’re browsing for your next purchase or running a business, making mobile work for you is essential.
