Marketplaces play a major role in beauty and clothing, while grocery shoppers rely on in-store visits. Retailers must balance both online and in-store strategies, leveraging loyalty programs and fast delivery to stay competitive.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

This is the first installment of our “Retail and Ecommerce Sales Benchmarks” series, which helps retailers calibrate their sales mix against the market.

DoorDash forgoes gig workers for employees with wages: The delivery platform announced a surprising pilot that would significantly upgrade the worker experience in select markets.

Today’s consumers have high expectations of brands and retailers. They want to shop seamlessly across digital and physical channels, they want to get from inspiration to purchase as quickly as possible, and they prioritize value above all else.

Walmart enhanced its online marketplace with new capabilities and seller solutions, the retailer announced at its annual Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit this week. Updates include the addition of premium beauty products, expanded fulfillment services, and revamped seller solutions.

Fast shipping, the vast selection of products, and high-quality customer service add to consumers’ growing attraction to online retail marketplaces, our analyst Sky Canaves said. “If there are any issues with the order, for example, there’s a trusted intermediary between the buyer and seller, which is why consumers may often feel that they have greater trust in marketplaces,” she said.

Retail sales via online marketplaces are growing faster than overall ecommerce. As competition in the sector rises, brands and retailers must navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex landscape.

Marketplaces will continue to expand their share of US retail ecommerce as new players with roots in China vie for prominence.

As the share of US ecommerce sales on marketplaces continues to expand, our latest survey examines consumer buying habits and expectations across leading platforms.

The challenges in last-mile delivery have intensified. To meet consumer expectations while maintaining margins, UK retailers need to innovate by embracing technology and establishing partnerships.

Consumers' definition of value is evolving as they demand not just the lowest prices, but quality and convenience too. Gen Z beauty shoppers prioritize innovation and sustainability over price, grocery shoppers seek high-quality products at lower prices, and high fees deter online purchases. Loyalty programs should be tailored to offer consumers the kind of rewards they want most, but not at the expense of brand identity. Here are five key stats to help brands understand what consumers value and stay competitive.

“When retailers can offer a delivery experience that the consumer expects, the consumer is less likely to abandon their cart,” said our analyst Blake Droesch. More than one-third (36%) of US consumers abandoned an order last year because shipping costs were too high and another 29% did so because their items wouldn’t arrive on time, per an August 2023 report by Digital Commerce 360.

Delivery is a critical component of ecommerce fulfillment, but accessing this opportunity requires brands and retailers to navigate a complex set of options and find ways to meet rising consumer expectations.