Executive Summary

Although the pandemic accelerated the shift to mcommerce, its rapid growth will not end with the return to normal. If anything, people are more willing to try mcommerce innovations than they were two years ago.

How big is mcommerce, and how big will it become?

US retail mcommerce sales grew at 41.4% in 2020 and will grow another 15.2% in 2021, to reach $359.32 billion. Annual sales should nearly double between now and 2025.

What changes are driving mcommerce growth?

The pandemic accelerated existing trends toward daily purchases, such as consumer packaged goods (CPG), food delivery, and groceries. New technologies, such as AR, 5G, and more seamless buying through one-touch systems like Apple Pay or Google Pay, will continue to drive growth in the future. New channels—including social commerce, live shopping, and influencer direct selling—will also spur growth.

What does this forecast mean for retailers?

The rapid growth of mcommerce puts it at the center of retail strategies and changes the relationship between retailers and customers. Retailers will need to build relationships with mobile-first platforms, such as social media companies, Google, Instacart, and influencer platforms where mobile audiences are. At the same time, they need to learn how to build a mobile customer experience that increases engagement.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report examines our forecasts for mcommerce sales in the US and explains some of the factors driving that growth and what it means for retailers.

KEY STAT: US mcommerce will nearly double its share of total retail sales between 2020 and 2025.