ShipStation’s 2025 Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report Reveals Key Trends to Keep Small Businesses Competitive
ShipStation, a leading shipping and order fulfillment platform, has released its highly anticipated 2025 Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report, providing essential insights and strategies to help small and mid-sized businesses navigate the evolving ecommerce landscape. As the industry matures, growth is stabilizing, and consumer expectations for seamless delivery and returns continue to rise. This report identifies key trends and innovative strategies businesses must adopt to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.
Ecommerce Growth in 2025: Slowing but Full of Opportunities
While ecommerce remains a dominant force in global retail, its rapid expansion during the pandemic has given way to a more measured, sustainable growth pattern. According to ShipStation’s report, 84% of ecommerce businesses experienced growth in 2024, yet the average increase was just 5.6%, indicating a transition from hypergrowth to long-term expansion. To remain competitive, businesses must focus on efficiency, technology integration, and customer experience enhancements.
Travis Rimel, Vice President at ShipStation, emphasizes the importance of adaptability:
“The ecommerce landscape is evolving rapidly, and small businesses must adapt to stay competitive. Our 2025 Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report offers actionable insights—from leveraging social commerce to optimizing fulfillment—to help businesses meet rising consumer demands and drive long-term growth.”
Key Trends Shaping Ecommerce in 2025
1. AI-Powered Retailers Grow 3x Faster
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in ecommerce. According to ShipStation’s findings, 96% of retailers have integrated AI into their operations. However, businesses that fully embrace AI across logistics, supply chains, and marketing experience growth at three times the rate of their counterparts. AI-driven automation, personalized recommendations, and predictive analytics are allowing businesses to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve customer engagement.
2. The Rise of Omnichannel Commerce
Consumers are increasingly demanding a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels. ShipStation’s data reveals that 54% of consumers plan to shop more in-store in 2025, highlighting the importance of bridging online and offline retail experiences. Businesses must integrate their ecommerce platforms with brick-and-mortar operations, offering services like buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), and real-time inventory visibility to meet these expectations.
3. Social Commerce Boom
Social media platforms are rapidly becoming key sales channels. The report finds that 74% of Gen Z consumers plan to shop via social platforms in 2025, yet only 46% of retailers currently support direct social commerce transactions. To capitalize on this trend, businesses should integrate shoppable content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, enabling seamless transactions directly within social media apps.
4. International Expansion on the Rise
With stabilized global trade conditions and advancements in digital commerce, 73% of online businesses plan to explore new international markets in 2025. Expanding globally can offer significant growth opportunities, but businesses must navigate complexities such as cross-border shipping regulations, currency conversions, and localized customer service to succeed.
What This Means for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
For small and mid-sized ecommerce companies, staying competitive requires a strategic approach that leverages technology, enhances customer experience, and improves operational efficiency. Here’s how businesses can adapt to evolving consumer habits and industry trends:
1. Leverage Social Commerce to Engage Digital Shoppers
With younger consumers increasingly shopping through social platforms, businesses should prioritize integrating direct purchasing options within social media. Implementing Instagram Checkout, TikTok Shop, and Facebook Shops can help drive sales by reducing friction in the buying process. Additionally, investing in influencer collaborations and live shopping events can enhance brand visibility and engagement.
2. Expand Market Reach Through Multichannel Selling
Selling on multiple platforms—such as Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, and Shopify—can help businesses diversify revenue streams and reach new customer segments. Leveraging third-party marketplaces also enables businesses to tap into built-in audiences and benefit from existing infrastructure, including fulfillment services like Amazon FBA and Walmart Fulfillment Services.
3. Optimize Fulfillment and Shipping Operations
As consumer expectations for fast, reliable shipping continue to rise, businesses must offer flexible delivery options. Implementing real-time tracking, automated shipping solutions, and hassle-free returns can enhance customer satisfaction. Partnering with multiple carriers—including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and regional couriers—ensures competitive shipping rates and faster delivery times.
4. Invest in AI and Automation
AI-powered solutions can significantly improve inventory management, demand forecasting, and personalized marketing. Retailers should adopt AI-driven tools to optimize supply chains, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience. Automation in order processing and warehouse management can also speed up fulfillment and reduce errors, leading to increased efficiency.
5. Enhance Customer Experience to Drive Loyalty
In a competitive ecommerce landscape, exceptional customer service is a key differentiator. Businesses should focus on:
- Personalized shopping experiences through AI-driven recommendations
- Seamless omnichannel interactions across online and offline channels
- Hassle-free returns and exchanges to build trust and encourage repeat purchases
- Proactive customer support via chatbots, email, and social media
Conclusion: The Future of Ecommerce in 2025 and Beyond
As ecommerce growth stabilizes, businesses must embrace innovation and adaptability to thrive. Leveraging AI, social commerce, and omnichannel strategies will be crucial in meeting the evolving demands of modern consumers. ShipStation’s 2025 Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report serves as a roadmap, equipping businesses with actionable insights to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting landscape.
For more information on the 2025 Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report, visit the ShipStation website.
About ShipStation
Since its inception in 2011, ShipStation has helped tens of thousands of ecommerce businesses streamline their shipping and fulfillment operations. As a leading multi-channel, multi-carrier platform, ShipStation integrates with over 400 partners, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce. A member of the Auctane family of companies, ShipStation is headquartered in Austin, TX. To learn more, visit www.shipstation.com.