E-Commerce & Internet Industry Market Research

Competitive Intelligence, Business Analysis, Forecasts, Market Size, Trends, Companies, Statistics

Available Data Services: Custom Research Projects, Database Subsription or PDF eBooks

E-Commerce & Internet OVERVIEW

The e-commerce and internet industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological innovation, shifting consumer behavior and intensifying global competition.  Several key trends are shaping the future of this dynamic sector.
1.    The continued expansion of the global internet user base.  Internet users worldwide numbered 9.83 billion fixed and wireless subscriptions in 2025.  This widespread connectivity, fueled by affordable smartphones and high-speed broadband, has created a massive digital marketplace and enabled sustained growth in online commerce.  Global e-commerce sales exceeded $6.42 trillion in 2025, highlighting the scale and importance of digital retail worldwide.
2.    Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms e-commerce and internet use.  Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and similar platforms are revolutionizing content creation, customer service and software development.  At the same time, AI-powered search and recommendation engines are improving personalization, enabling retailers to tailor product offerings and marketing messages to individual users.  This shift is increasing efficiency while enhancing customer engagement and conversion rates.
3.    The dominance of Amazon.  Amazon continues to lead global e-commerce through aggressive pricing, logistics efficiency and an expanding ecosystem that includes cloud computing and digital advertising.  However, competition is intensifying, especially from low-cost international players such as Temu and Shein, which are rapidly gaining market share with ultra-competitive pricing models.
4.    The integration of physical and digital retail.  Oten referred to as “bricks and clicks,” this concept is reshaping the industry.  Successful retailers are blending online convenience with in-store experiences, offering services such as buy-online-pickup-in-store and using physical locations as fulfillment centers.  This hybrid approach improves logistics efficiency and meets consumer demand for flexibility and speed. 
5.    Social media platforms are becoming powerful e-commerce and advertising engines.  With billions of active users globally, platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are integrating shopping features directly into their ecosystems.  This convergence of social engagement and commerce is creating new revenue streams and changing how consumers discover and purchase products.
6.    Digital advertising continues to dominate marketing strategies.  Global ad spending reached approximately $750 billion in 2025.  Advanced targeting techniques, programmatic ad buying and data analytics allow advertisers to reach highly specific audiences in real time.  At the same time, growing concerns over privacy are reshaping the advertising landscape, as regulators and technology companies introduce new restrictions on data tracking.
7.    Cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) remain foundational to the industry’s infrastructure.  These technologies enable businesses to scale rapidly, reduce costs and access powerful computing resources without significant upfront investment.  Cloud platforms are also closely tied to AI development, further accelerating innovation across the sector.
8.    Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), drone delivery and virtual/augmented reality are opening new possibilities for commerce and logistics.  For example, drone delivery is being tested to reduce shipping times, while IoT devices are generating data that can improve supply chain efficiency and customer insights.
9.    The regulatory environment is becoming increasingly complex.  Governments worldwide are introducing stricter rules around privacy, competition and content moderation.  While these regulations aim to protect consumers, they also create challenges for companies that must navigate evolving legal frameworks.
Read More

WE PROFILE HUNDREDS OF TOP COMPANIES:

See All

PLUNKETT PROVIDES IN-DEPTH STATISTICS TABLES COVERING THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRY TOPICS:

Top Companies Profiled

The following is a partial listing for this industry. As a subscriber, you will have access to the leading companies and top growth companies. This includes publicly-held, private, subsidiary and joint venture companies, on a global basis as well as in the U.S.


Hundreds of Top Companies Profiled, Including:

PLUNKETT PROVIDES UNIQUE ANALYSIS OF THE FOLLOWING TRENDS THAT ARE DRIVING THIS INDUSTRY:

Key Findings:

A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms within the E-Commerce & Internet Business Industry. Gain vital insights that can help shape strategy for business development, product development and investments.

Key Features:

  • Business trends analysis
  • In-depth industry overview
  • Technology trends analysis
  • Forecasts
  • Spending, investment, and consumption discussions
  • In-depth industry statistics and metrics
  • Industry employment numbers

Additional Key Features Include:
Industry Glossary

Industry Contacts list, including Professional Societies and Industry Associations

Profiles of industry-leading companies

  • U.S. and Global Firms
  • Publicly held, Private and Subsidiaries
  • Executive Contacts
  • Revenues

  • For Public Companies: Detailed Financial Summaries

  • Statistical Tables

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This feature-rich report covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the E-Commerce & Internet Business Industry.

Plunkett Research Provides Unique Analysis of the Following Major Trends Affecting the E-Commerce & Internet Business

  1. Major Trends Affecting the E-Commerce & Internet Business

  2. Introduction to the E-Commerce & Internet Business

  3. Bricks, Clicks and Catalogs Create Synergies While Online Sales Growth Surges

  4. Amazon’s Online Market Share Dominates/Temu & Shein Compete Aggressively

  5. Package and Food Delivery by Drone

  6. Global Internet Market Tops 9.83 Billion Users both Fixed and Wireless

  7. Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Gains Traction

  8. Cloud Computing and Software as a Service (SaaS) Provide Data Storage & Access

  9. China Is the World’s Largest E-Commerce Market and Continues to Boom

  10. India Is the New E-Commerce Battle Ground

  11. Overview of the Social Media Industry/TikTok Soars to 170 U.S. Million Users

  12. Social Media Rakes in Global Online Shopping and Ad Revenues

  13. Digital & Search Advertising Soar/Amazon Becomes an Advertising Media Giant

  14. Programmatic Ad Buying Dominates the Digital Media Market

  15. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) /Hotels Fight to Keep Control of the Customer

  16. Pandora and Spotify Lead in Streaming Music Via Internet Radio but Face Challenge from Apple Music/SiriusXM Tops 33.0 Million Subscribers

  17. Overview of the Mobile Apps Industry

  18. Quality of Care and Health Care Outcomes Data Are Available Online, Creating a New Level of Transparency

  19. Smartphones and Neobanks Replace Bank Branches and Tellers

  20. Insurance Direct Selling and E-Commerce

  21. The Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M to Boom, Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Open New Avenues for Hacking

  22. Designers and Manufacturers Bypass the Middleman with Direct-to-Consumer Online Business Models

  23. Fashion Rental Pioneered by Online Apparel Firm Rent the Runway

  24. Smaller Satellites (SmallSats and CubeSats) and Low Earth Orbit Revolutionize Telecommunications

  25. Sharing Economy Gains Market Share in Travel with Online Sites Like Airbnb, Vrbo and Many Global Competitors

  26. Digital Assistants Include Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home/Alexa and Similar Software Power Third-Party Developers

  27. Amazon Becomes One of the World’s Leading Sellers of Apparel and Shoes

  28. OpenAI (ChatGPT), Gemini, Anthropic (Claude) and Others Launch Impressive Tools that Generate Text, Art, Code and AI Agents

  29. Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality and 3-D Technologies Create Opportunities for the Tech Industry/Immersion Games to Grow

  30. Regulatory Environment Is Challenging for Online Businesses & Social Media

Plunkett Research Provides In-Depth Tables for the Following E-Commerce & Internet Business Statistics

  1. Ecommerce & Internet Business Statistics and Market Size Overview

  2. Global Digital, Network, Computer & Telecom Industries--Key Statistics & Market Size Overview

  3. U.S. Computer Software & Related Services Quarterly Revenue: Q4 2024-Q3 2025

  4. U.S. Retail Trade and Ecommerce Sales: 2019-2022

  5. Total & Ecommerce Sales for Electronic Shopping & Mail-Order Houses, by Merchandise Line, U.S.: 2019-2022

  6. Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services: Estimated Revenue, Annual Payroll & Number of Employees, U.S.: 2023

  7. Internet Access Technologies Compared

  8. Number of Business & Residential High Speed Internet Lines, U.S.: 2021-2025

  9. Amazon.com, Inc. Annual Sales & Income: 2019-2025

  10. Employment in Ecommerce & Internet-related Fields, U.S.: 2002-2025

  11. Estimated Quarterly U.S. Retail and Ecommerce Sales: 1st Quarter 2016-3rd Quarter 2025

Organizations that have used our research and products

hilton worldwide
Logo for HKTDC
Logo for Japan External Trade Organization
Logo for Johnson & Johnson
Logo for Mayer Brown
Logo for Microsoft
Logo for Purdue University
Logo for Stanford University
Logo for Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Logo for FedEx

CUSTOM MARKET RESEARCH

We have deep experience in conducting market research projects and surveys (both B2B and B2C) for the world’s leading organizations. Competitive intel, market sizing, product opportunities validation, technologies analysis, economic and market forecasts. Both domestic and global markets—any industry, any geography.
More details

INDUSTRIES WE COVER

We cover all leading industry sectors, from retailing, healthcare and banking, to logistics, robotics/automation, digital technologies, wireless, travel and aerospace. Our proprietary data and reports keep you on the cutting edge of your industry of specific interest. Great for strategic, marketing, investment and consulting professionals, as well as business librarians.
More details

INDUSTRY ANALYTICS REPORTS

Industry-specific operating benchmarks, industry financial statement averages, revenue forecasts, market size, statistics, company ranks and comparisons. Choose from 550+ Industries. Updated regularly. Instant download. Our unique reports save you countless hours of research time and effort. Used by the world’s top consulting, strategy and investment pros.
More details

CORPORATE BENCHMARKS REPORTS

Company-specific operating benchmarks (current and historical), benchmarked against industry-peers’ averages. Revenue forecasts, market size, statistics, company ranks and comparisons. Choose from 4000+ companies. Updated regularly. Instant download. Our unique reports save you countless hours of research time and effort. Used by the world’s top consulting, strategy and investment pros.
More details

Related Products

Wireless, Wi-Fi, RFID & Cellular Industry Market Research

The wireless sector, spanning mobile networks, Wi-Fi, RFID and cellular services, remains one of the world’s fastest-evolving technology arenas.  With global wireless subscriptions surpassing 9.1 billion in 2024, the industry is experiencing transformative shifts driven by innovation, connectivity demands, and emerging technologies. 1.    5G Rollout & the Internet of Things…
Wireless, Wi-Fi, RFID & Cellular Industry Market Research

Telecommunications Industry Market Research

The telecommunications industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer behavior and fierce market competition.  From the rise of AI-enhanced smartphones to the proliferation of satellite-based internet, here are the most critical trends redefining the telecom landscape. 1. Decline of Landlines and Rise of Bundled Services Traditional…
Telecommunications Industry Market Research

Computers, Hardware & Software Industry Market Research

The technology breakthrough that enabled the modern computer occurred shortly after the end of World War II, when researchers at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey created the first working transistor on December 16, 1947. William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain later received a well-deserved Nobel Prize in Physics for their…
Computers, Hardware & Software Industry Market Research
 

Subscribe to Database:

All industries
Add To Cart

Multi-User Online, Enterprise-Wide (Library or Corporate)

Request a Quote and Free Trial

eBook or Book:

This industry onlyPublication date: Apr 2026
ISBN-13: 978-1-64788-596-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-64788-104-7
Custom Research Projects

What data challenge can we help you solve today?