Top 15 mobile commerce trends to know for online retail in 2025

Sezane’s mobile shopping app in the Google Play Store

Here are a few tips to consider if you decide to create a mobile app to improve the shopping experience for consumers.

• Prioritize user-friendly design (UX/UI): Keep the interface clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, also including clear icons, readable fonts, and consistent branding. Think about incorporating a simple onboarding process to help users get started quickly.
• Optimize for mobile performance: Ensure fast load times and smooth transitions between screens. In addition, you’ll want to design for responsiveness across devices with different sizes and screen resolutions. To help minimize app crashes and bugs, remember to do regular testing and updates.
• Incorporate personalization and convenience features: Offer personalized recommendations based on browsing and purchase history. Make checking out super simple by enabling easy payment options like one-tap checkout, digital wallets, and saved payment info. You might also opt to integrate push notifications for order updates, promotions, and personalized deals.

2. Trust in mobile shopping is increasing

Consumers are becoming increasingly trusting of the security of buying on the internet. This is directly impacting the popularity of making mobile purchases.

While some aspects of this increased level of trust are directly tied to shoppers’ familiarity with this process, others are tied to improvements in security.

To encourage your customers to have continued confidence with making purchases on your site, keep up to date trends in web and mobile security. You should also clearly illustrate the measures that your company is taking by displaying security badges and logos on your mobile app and website.

3. Responsive mobile site design is becoming increasingly important

Responsive mobile site design is crucial for ecommerce businesses aiming to enhance user experience and capitalize on the growing trend of mobile shopping. However, shoppers often encounter issues with mobile websites that deter purchases.

Common complaints include poor design, intrusive pop-ups, and missing information, which can erode trust and prompt users to abandon the site. Moreover, according to Google, if a mobile site takes longer than three seconds to load, users are likely to leave, emphasizing the requirement for fast, responsive pages. 

By implementing responsive design, you can ensure that your website adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices, providing a consistent and user-friendly experience. This approach will not only address consumer pain points but also enhance engagement, reduce your bounce rate, and ultimately boost your conversion rate.

4. Smartphones are the most common device for online purchases in the US

When you examine m-commerce more closely, you will see that it’s largely broken down into purchases that are executed on smartphones and on tablets. It’s easy to assume that these would be relatively similar and would not require individual analysis.

However, it's worth noting that there’s a big difference between sales on smartphones vs. tablets.

According to a 2023 Statista survey, when determining what devices were most popular with consumers in the US when it comes to purchasing products and services online, smartphones came out on top, even beating out laptops, with 73% of participants stating they used a smartphone for their ecommerce orders. 

And while tablets came in 3rd place, the share of participants stating they used a tablet for their ecommerce orders was much lower at just 29%.

What does this trend mean for your company?

One important impact is that location-based push notifications and push notifications in general may be increasingly beneficial. This is because push notifications are most often received in real-time on smartphones rather than on tablets.

While you shouldn’t lose sight of the tremendous opportunities to connect with consumers through tablets, this trend indicates the need to cater to smartphone users.

5. One-click ordering on mobile phones is increasing

Users can easily grow annoyed and stressed when they are faced with a lengthy, complicated checkout process, regardless of the gadget they’re using. The smaller display screens of smartphones and tablets can increase the challenge of filling out long checkout forms.

One-click ordering is one of the top ecommerce innovations preferred by today’s shoppers, and it’s increasingly becoming an expected convenience.

The cart abandonment rate is extraordinarily high with mobile websites, but it drops dramatically for purchases made on a mobile app. Both of these actions would be completed on the mobile device, but the difference lies in the process of checking out.

The abandonment rate drops significantly when customers have access to a one-click checkout via an app.

6. More and more brands are availing of social commerce and shoppable content

Social media has been an integral part of ecommerce businesses for years. It’s played roles in increasing awareness, promoting brand image, and more. However, getting followers to click from a social media post to a shop’s product page has been challenging until recently.

Social networks have evolved to facilitate social commerce.

For example, businesses can now tag products on Facebook and Instagram posts. When followers click on an item that interests them in these shoppable posts, they’re taken directly to the shop’s product page.

Instagram shoppable post by Mango 

This streamlines the purchasing process and can potentially improve users’ experiences and a shop’s revenue-generation capabilities.

Keep in mind that many consumers already have Facebook and Instagram. By putting your products in their feeds, you’re placing these items directly in front of your target audience, using a platform that they’re already using.

7. Accessibility is playing an increasingly crucial role in mobile web design

Accessibility is becoming increasingly vital in mobile web design as businesses recognize the importance of inclusivity and user experience for all customers.

With approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, according to the World Health Organization, ensuring mobile sites are accessible is not just ethical—it’s also a smart business move that can broaden your ecommerce brand’s reach. This trend is especially relevant as m-commerce continues to grow, and businesses aim to offer seamless experiences across diverse user needs.

So what does it mean to have an accessible mobile site?

An accessible mobile site allows all users—including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments—to navigate, interact, and complete purchases with ease. Designing for accessibility involves using readable fonts, clear color contrasts, descriptive alt text for images, voice command compatibility, and ensuring screen reader support. It also requires intuitive navigation and touch-friendly buttons.

A good example of an accessible website is outdoor clothing company Patagonia’s site, whether viewed from a PC or mobile device. Besides being well structured with content arranged according to product categories, sports, and stories, the site features detailed alt text, high-contrast text that makes content easier to read, and an accessibility statement in the footer.

Source: Patagonia

Prioritizing accessibility improves user satisfaction, reduces bounce rates, and enhances brand reputation, while also ensuring compliance with legal standards like theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

8. Online shopping via voice apps is growing in popularity

Personal digital assistants like Alexa and Siri are no longer a novelty. They’re increasingly used in everyday life in a variety of ways, and this now includes making purchases on the internet.

According to The Business Research Company, the voice commerce market size is predicted to reach about $151.4 billion in 2025. Furthermore, this market is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 29.2%, amounting to an estimated $421.7 billion in 2029.

Product research and buying via voice commands are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead. Keep in mind that voice commands can also be completed conveniently via a smartphone and do not necessarily require a smart speaker or another special device.

Your website and mobile app must be configured properly to accommodate those wanting to make purchases via this method.

9. Brands are taking advantage of innovations in mobile chatbots

Chatbots provide businesses with a cost-effective way to improve customer service. They are available to customers at all hours of the day so that they can receive support regardless of when they’re making a purchase.

As the technology used in chatbots has dramatically improved, online shoppers often prefer to interact with them rather than contact a live customer-service representative.

Interacting with Farmacy Beauty's chatbot on a mobile device

Today, chatbots are not yet universally used by all ecommerce businesses on their desktop-accessible websites. Because of an increase in consumer preference and changing expectations, this may need to be a part of your development efforts for your site.

Furthermore, the trend is likely to carry over to apps. As you design a new mobile app or upgrade your existing one, this is an important feature to consider adding.

10. Augmented reality (AR) technology is becoming more prevalent

As popular as ecommerce and m-commerce are, they have some serious limitations. For example, buyers have only been able to visualize products via a two-dimensional image or through video footage in some cases until recently.

The trend toward incorporating AR into shopping apps is growing, and it can have a powerful impact on a user’s purchasing experience.

Some of the many uses for augmented reality in apps is to showcase the size and color of furniture in a shopper’s living space. Through the technology used here and in other ways, consumers can make smarter buying decisions.

It can improve shoppers’ experiences by elevating their confidence in the items that they’ve selected and can also lower return rates.

11. More businesses are allowing for mobile in-store checkout

If you have an internet presence as well as a brick-and-mortar store, you should still take advantage of the convenience of a mobile checkout. The one-click checkout process that today’s shoppers appreciate with app purchases can extend to other types of activities.

For example, there is a growing trend for stores to offer one-click mobile checkouts in their physical locations.

A mobile in-store checkout gives customers the ability to avoid long lines at brick-and-mortar locations. This saves time, reduces stress, and enhances the benefits of making in-store purchases.

Many customers appreciate the speed and convenience of mobile shopping with a speedy checkout. However, they also enjoy the ability to physically interact with merchandise in stores before making a purchase. A mobile in-store checkout process offers users the benefits of both options.

Stores can also take advantage of their mobile app to market to customers. For example, customers could receive a push notification telling them about item availability or specials as soon as they enter the shop.

12. Fraud in mobile shopping remains a challenge

While buyers are becoming more confident about their ability to shop safely with reputable sites, they’re aware of the dangers associated with cybercrime and fraud. The unfortunate reality is that the majority of fraudulent activities that occur on a daily basis are associated with mobile devices.

Regardless of how well-protected your site is, you must take reasonable steps to protect shoppers buying items on their phones. All brands and all shoppers can be exposed to cybercrime.

However, there are steps that you can take to elevate the protection of your online retail business and your customers.

App purchases are generally more secure than those completed online, and you can take this security to a new level. For example, using two-factor authentication with app activities can dramatically reduce the risk of being victimized by criminals.

13. Brands are using zero-party data for personalization

Zero-party data refers to information that customers intentionally and proactively share with a brand, such as preferences, interests, purchase intentions, and feedback. Unlike first-party data, which is collected through user behavior, zero-party data is voluntarily provided, making it more accurate and trustworthy.

More brands are leveraging zero-party data for personalization as consumers demand greater privacy and control over their information. This trend is crucial in mobile commerce, where personalization drives engagement and conversions. With increasing data privacy regulations (like GDPR and CCPA), relying on user-consented data helps brands build trust while delivering relevant experiences.

Your brand can use zero-party data in several ways for m-commerce:

• Personalized product recommendations based on user preferences.
• Targeted offers and discounts based on customer interests.
• Customized content in mobile apps or emails.
• Interactive quizzes and surveys to gather preferences.

Stella & Chewy’s gives visitors a 5% discount after they provide their email address and other info

14. Mobile payments are more popular than ever

The popularity of mobile wallets has increased in recent years thanks to the security and the convenience that they bring to the table. These wallets include Android Pay, Apple Pay, and others.

These and other forms of digital wallets are accessible for purchasing on the internet as well as purchasing in stores. Besides accessing the wallets via a smartphone or tablet, shoppers can connect to their digital wallets through an Apple Watch and other connected wearables.

Stores must give site visitors access to their preferred payment methods. This is particularly important when their preferred payment methods add to their convenience and security.

If your website doesn’t already let visitors pay via mobile wallets, you should try to add this feature as soon as possible, seeing as it’s one of ecommerce’s top payment trends. Mobile wallets should be accessible via apps, on sites, and in brick-and-mortar locations.

15. Omnichannel integrations are improving

Mobile commerce plays a key role in a well-crafted omnichannel retail strategy by enabling seamless shopping experiences across digital and physical touchpoints.

Consumers expect to browse, buy, and interact with brands effortlessly, whether on a smartphone, website, social media, or in-store. M-commerce strengthens omnichannel integration by offering convenience, personalization, and frictionless transactions.

Brands are improving omnichannel integrations with innovations like mobile apps with in-store features (e.g., scan-and-go, AR try-ons), real-time inventory tracking, and AI-driven chatbots for customer support. Unified commerce platforms now sync data across channels, ensuring smooth transitions from online to offline experiences.

This is an important m-commerce trend because mobile is the primary shopping tool for many consumers. A strong omnichannel strategy boosts engagement, conversion rates, and customer loyalty while meeting the demand for convenience and immediacy.

If your digital commerce site also has a physical location, here are a few different ways to integrate mobile commerce in your omnichannel strategy:

• Mobile payments: Making payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. available provides shoppers with a faster checkout experience.
• In-app loyalty programs: Launching a loyalty program in your app makes it possible to reward customers across channels.
• Buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS): Allowing customers to purchase items on your ecommerce site and then pick them up at a brick-and-mortar location close to them offers extra convenience.
• Personalized mobile marketing: Sending tailored messages, promotions, or reminders to users based on their preferences, behavior, or location via push notifications drives engagement and enhances the customer experience.
• QR codes and AR shopping: Allowing customers to access product details, virtual try-ons, or exclusive online content in-store are great tools for convincing them to buy, boosting your conversion rate.