ECDB – Global E-Commerce Compass, 2026

The report focuses on the global e-commerce market outlook for the year 2026, providing data, insights, and predictions about market growth, retailer dynamics, buyer behavior, and technological trends such as AI in commerce.

Global e-commerce revenues are projected to exceed US$5 trillion in 2026, growing 8.6% year-over-year, with 25.4% of retail sales online. Growth is concentrated mainly in China and the USA, which account for 64% of revenues, while emerging markets show relative growth shifts. Retail competition intensifies with increased concentration and fewer mid-sized players, with platform ecosystems outperforming standalone retailers. AI-driven shopping traffic is increasingly relevant, especially in discovery use cases, though transactional AI applications require further integration.