Are you leveraging these e-commerce trends?

Find out how you can use them to grow your online business. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Mailchimp]( ISSUE 06 E-commerce trends to jumpstart your growth [Mailchimp E-commerce Newsletter]( ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ This week we’re focusing on 5 major trends in e-commerce that could help put you a step ahead of competitors. They’re all in reach, and we can help you get there. Trend 01: Consumers prefer to shop with small businesses [91%]( of surveyed U.S. shoppers prefer to support small businesses when it’s convenient, and 74% actively look for ways to shop small. The takeaway: Capitalize on your size Show the personal touches and excellent customer experience that come with shopping small, because that's where the large retailers might not be able to compete. We recommend launching an email series that welcomes subscribers—or tuning up the one you already have. Make sure you are personalizing it based on when and from where your subscriber is opting in, provide background information on your business and what it offers, and ensure you drive home the action you want your subscribers to take. [Create A New Welcome Series]( Trend 02: Customers want loyalty programs [90%]( of surveyed U.S. consumers say they’re likely to choose a retailer where they’re a premium loyalty member over another one offering a lower price. The takeaway: Reward your customers Make sure to create an audience segment that includes your most loyal opted-in customers so that you can reach out to them directly with emails that offer exclusive products, events, and early access to discounts and gifts—where legal. [Learn More About Audience Segmentation]( Trend 03: Many shoppers expect shipping to be easy, free, and green [77%]( of U.S. survey consumer respondents said it’s important that the brands they shop with are environmentally sustainable. The takeaway: Re-think your shipping materials We recommend ditching the traditional packaging materials for more sustainable options like recyclable or compostable paper-based wrapping or biodegradable shipping peanuts. Mix up the size of your boxes; a one-size-fits-all approach for all your shipping may feel right for your budget, but boxes that are too big for what they're shipping waste space in the supply chain, weigh more, and waste more packing material. Most major shipping companies have sustainable options like reusable containers, so look into what your logistics partner offers already. All of this may cost more upfront, but could pay for itself in the long run by driving repeat business from more loyal customers. Trend 04: More consumers are converting directly on their phones Mobile commerce sales grew in the U.S. by [41.4%]( in 2020 and are estimated to grow another 15.2% in 2021, with annual sales forecasted to nearly double between now and 2025. The takeaway: Make sure checkout is seamless on a mobile device Having a mobile optimized shopping and check out experience is of the utmost importance. Consumers expect fast page loads, easy navigation, and a speedy confirmation email. For starters, reduce the number of pages and steps to streamline your checkout process, and consider how touch affects the user experience. And if you can, allow customers to check out without going through the steps of creating an account. Trend 05: Shopping isn’t exclusive to your website anymore The number of people in the U.S. buying items directly on social media jumped [25.2%]( last year, and is expected to grow another 12.9% in 2021. The takeaway: Seek other revenue streams Social shopping is expected to surpass [100 million customers]( by 2023. That’s why building a retail presence on social media is key for driving sales. With Instagram's increased focus on e-commerce, making your products shoppable directly on social media is crucial for consumers in 2021. Keep your Instagram and Facebook shops up to date, and don't hesitate to publish posts that highlight your products and drive followers to your online store. Also, don’t forget about “offline” revenue streams. Consider creating a temporary pop-up at a local market or craft fair, or even partnering for a setup inside a larger store. These initiatives can help boost sales and increase brand awareness, especially in your local market. [Mailchimp] ©2021 Mailchimp [675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308]( | [mailchimp.com]( [Unsubscribe]( • [View in Browser]( • [Terms of Use]( [Privacy Policy]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Download on Google Play]( [Download on the App Store]( Mailchimp is a registered trademark of The Rocket Science Group. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mac App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.