Top B2B eCommerce Trends in 2024
eCommerce is an ever-evolving industry, and it’s not just about adapting to new technology. It’s also about keeping up with the latest B2B eCommerce trends in retail and consumer behavior. In this post, I shared some of the top B2B eCommerce trends you can look into when starting a new eCommerce business.
3D Printing
3D printing is creating a solid object by depositing material layer by layer. This additive manufacturing method is used to create prototypes and final products. 3D printers can produce almost any shape or style of goods with the right software and CAD tools.
This technology has been around since the 1980s, but it wasn’t until recently that it became accessible enough for everyday use. Today, several companies offer 3D printing services to consumers who want to try their hand at this new craft—or have an idea for a product they want to make into reality fast.
The most common type of printer uses powder fused together by a laser beam which heats up layers of powder one after another until a 3D model forms in front of your eyes (if you blinked, you would miss it). The finished product can be printed on different materials such as plastic or metal, depending on what design needs to be created —and whether or not you need something indestructible.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the natural world, thus providing a composite view. For example, AR could show an aircraft mechanic what an engine looks like by layering digital images on top of his/her field of vision. Augmented reality is used in mobile apps, games, and other forms of media.
AI-Based Shopping recommendations
AI can be used to create personalized shopping experiences, such as suggesting items based on your personal preferences and interests. It can also target ads based on your search history and purchase history, making it feel like the eCommerce site knows you personally—and that’s not just because they have all of your information on file (which they do).
Growth in Online Grocery Sales
Online grocery shopping is on the rise. A projection in 2018 said it will reach $100 billion in sales by 2022, but the market beat that projection reaching $95.8 billion by 2020 and now projected to reach $187 billion in the USA alone by 2024 according to new research by Statista. This is good news for you—and not just because you’re saving money and helping to save the planet by doing so (though both are true). It means not having to go out in public when you don’t want or need to, making it easy for even introverted shoppers like me who don’t like crowds or other germs. Eating healthy foods can be challenging if you don’t have access to good groceries; ordering groceries online means never having to worry about whether your local Walmart has what you need at all times of year (or even hours), allowing for more flexible options than ever before when cooking meals at home.
More Click-and-Collect Deliveries
As it turns out, people like picking their purchases up from a store. This isn’t just convenient—it’s also a great way to increase foot traffic, impulse buys, and brand loyalty.
eCommerce brands should ensure they offer this service wherever they can, as it will become an increasingly popular option for consumers who want to avoid delivery costs and save time by picking up online orders in-store.
Also read: 5 Ways to boost your eCommerce website performance
Supply Chain Disruptions
We’ve seen a lot of supply chain disruptions in the past few years, and they’re likely to continue throughout the year. Tariffs have impacted eCommerce retailers by increasing the cost of goods and adding even more complexity to the supply chain. Brexit has created uncertainty around how goods will be transported across European borders. In contrast, ongoing trade wars have made it difficult for companies to know what safe and legal products to import into the US or China (or Mexico).
More Omnichannel Marketing
If you’re not using omnichannel marketing, it’s time to get on board. It’s crucial to understand that omnichannel marketing differs from multichannel marketing, which focuses on all the channels your customers use to find and purchase products and services.
Omnichannel marketing takes into account all of the possible touch points between you and your customers—whether they’re looking at your website or interacting with a sales associate in-store—and uses them to create a seamless customer experience across every channel.
This means taking advantage of user behavior data gathered from various sources (such as social media), then using that information as part of an overarching strategy that drives sales across all channels.
For example, if someone visits one of your retail stores but doesn’t buy anything at first glance because she’s simply browsing around, give her an incentive (like free shipping), so she’ll come back later with more intent—perhaps after reading some reviews online about how great the store’s selection is compared with competitors.
After doing this enough times (and getting feedback from those customers), soon enough, people will associate certain incentives with specific shopping experiences; this means companies can tailor their promotions based on whether shoppers were exposed directly through advertising campaigns or indirectly through word-of-mouth recommendations shared by other consumers who’ve been satisfied themselves before making purchases online or offline without even realizing it.
Small Businesses Going Online
Small businesses now go online and can use eCommerce platforms to sell their products, services, and digital products.
For instance, you could use social media to build a customer base before you go live with your eCommerce platform. You might also be able to find people who want to buy your product but don’t have the resources or time needed to set up an eCommerce store on their own.
B2B eCommerce Marketplaces
B2B eCommerce marketplaces are a way for businesses to buy and sell products. They’re like a cross between eBay and Amazon, with the added benefit of connecting industrial sellers and buyers.
If you’ve ever been on Amazon before, you know it can be a great place to find new businesses to buy from—and now that concept is being applied in B2B commerce. It makes sense: if consumers want a marketplace where they can search through hundreds of thousands of items at once instead of just one brand site or retail store, why shouldn’t business owners want access to the same thing?
Marketplaces bring together manufacturers looking for customers (sellers) and companies who need those supply chains (buyers). These marketplaces let sellers list their products and supply chain information such as manufacturing specs or certifications; buyers can then view this centralized inventory at one time while searching through the different suppliers who carry them. Some marketplaces even have software built in so both parties can see what items are available on each other’s websites before making purchase decisions together.
eCommerce Continues to Grow with These New Innovations That Are Transforming the Consumer Shopping Experience
Given the growth of eCommerce, it’s no surprise that the industry is innovating to meet the needs of consumers. As a result, we expect to see more developments in what retailers can offer customers and how they can improve the shopping experience.
Another big trend this year is VR (Virtual Reality). Virtual reality will become mainstream as more companies and users update their tech devices. For example, some people may have an old iPhone 5s but would like to upgrade because Apple has come out with new generations with better features than older versions.
In 2023, you’ll be able to use wireless headsets powered by your phone’s Wi-Fi signal instead of needing cables plugged into your TV set or computer monitor. These devices could include anything from Google Glasses 2nd Generation (already available) to Microsoft HoloLens Three Full Size Holographic Display Headset System, which was recently introduced at CES 2019.
In summary
When it comes to eCommerce, there’s no shortage of trends. The future is bright, and we expect more innovations in the coming years. We hope this list has inspired you with ideas on how to grow your business.