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B2C is the consumer-facing segment of e-commerce. It refers to the internet transactions of goods and services between a business and a private consumer. B2C e-commerce is often used interchangeably with online retail. However, acting as an umbrella term, B2C e-commerce does not only refer to online retail but also online marketplaces and paid content. With e-commerce continuing to develop worldwide, the market is increasingly expanding into more niche categories, catering to more specific consumer and business needs.

Globally, Asia boasts the largest B2C e-commerce market, followed by the equally robust but smaller North American and European markets. Asia’s prominence in the e-commerce sector is reflected by the strength of players such as the Chinese Alibaba Group, which is currently one of the biggest online marketplaces globally.

CAGR of global e-commerce sales

9.83%

Statistic

Amazon net sales

574.8bn USD

Statistic

Global retail e-commerce sales

4.12 tn USD

Statistic

Overview
Industry insights
Market size
Market segments
Industry trends
Industry leaders
Regional overview
State of the industry
Industry definition

Industry insights

E-commerce worldwide

E-commerce in the United States

E-commerce in the Asia-Pacific region

E-commerce in BRIC

E-commerce in the European Union

E-commerce in Latin America

E-commerce in Africa

Amazon

Alibaba Group

Temu

Artificial intelligence in e-commerce

Social commerce

Top Seller

Report on the topic

Market size

It's only up from here for B2C e-commerce

Retail e-commerce revenue worldwide from 2019 to 2029, by segment (in trillion U.S. dollars)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Retail e-commerce revenue worldwide from 2019 to 2029, by segment (in trillion U.S. dollars)

There is little doubt that e-commerce will continue to shape the consumer and retail industries, not only changing shopping behavior, but also contributing to the digital transformation of retail business models. The next few years will see tremendous growth of B2C e-commerce in the retail industry, with global revenues expected to grow by over 50 percent between 2024 and 2029.

E-commerce worldwide
E-commerce in the U.S.
E-commerce in Europe

Market segments

Fashion's love affair with e-commerce

Fashion retail e-commerce revenue worldwide from 2023 to 2029, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Fashion retail e-commerce revenue worldwide from 2023 to 2029, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)

E-commerce has integrated well within many segments of the retail and consumer goods market. From consumer electronics to furniture, personal care products to household goods, e-commerce purchases are increasingly generating higher revenues. But the performance of online channels is particularly stellar in the fashion segment. In 2024, the fashion e-commerce market revenue is estimated to reach 770 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.

Beauty and personal care e-commerce in the United States
Fashion e-commerce in the United States
Furniture e-commerce in the United States

Industry trends

Not just online, but also mobile

Leading shopping apps worldwide in 2023, by number of downloads (in millions)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Leading shopping apps worldwide in 2023, by number of downloads (in millions)

Increasingly, retailers and e-commerce platforms are diversifying the shopping channels offered to consumers. In addition to mobile-optimized websites, many brands invest in shopping apps to create more convenient and smooth shopping journeys. Globally, the Chinese online marketplace app Temu was the most-downloaded shopping app in 2023.

Mobile commerce in the United States
Mobile commerce in the UK
Social commerce

Industry leaders

Amazon in the U.S., Alibaba in China

Market cap of leading large cap e-commerce companies worldwide as of June 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Market cap of leading large cap e-commerce companies worldwide as of June 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Two of the biggest players in the global e-commerce market are Amazon and Alibaba. Amazon ranks first among the leading large cap e-commerce companies worldwide, with a staggering market cap of roughly 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars. On a global level, Amazon's main competitors are Chinese companies. The Alibaba Group and Pinduoduo are dominant in their home country, and quickly expanding internationally.

Amazon
Alibaba Group
Pinduoduo

Regional overview

Asia is the biggest e-commerce market

Total retail e-commerce revenue worldwide in 2023, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)

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Further details: Visit original statistic Total retail e-commerce revenue worldwide in 2023, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)

With the highest population density and some of the most robust economies in the world, it is no surprise that the e-commerce market is the largest in Asia. China alone is estimated to have over one billion e-commerce users. E-commerce revenues in Asia are estimated to have exceeded 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. By comparison, in the Americas, the total retail e-commerce revenue amounted to less than one trillion U.S. dollars in the same year.

E-commerce in Asia Pacific
E-commerce in the EU
E-commerce in China

State of the industry

Industry definition

B2C e-commerce refers to internet transactions of goods and services that take place between a business and a private consumer. It spans online retail, online marketplaces, and paid content, but does not include C2C e-commerce and e-services such as online food delivery businesses. Statista's content on B2C e-commerce brings together a comprehensive overview with global, regional, and local data, and an equal focus on present trends, future projections, and the biggest players in the market.

E-Commerce