Core Insights - DHL's e-commerce business unit released its first commercial report in the "2025 E-commerce Trends Report" series, gathering insights from 4,050 e-commerce companies across Europe, America, and Asia-Pacific, highlighting how businesses can achieve sales growth and success in a rapidly changing digital environment through omnichannel strategies, AI-driven personalization, cross-border expansion, and increasing importance of sustainability and logistics excellence [1][3]. Group 1: E-commerce Trends - The report reveals that as "Black Friday" approaches and global e-commerce accelerates, companies are preparing for peak sales seasons and long-term growth by investing in logistics speed, building consumer trust, and optimizing personalized services [3]. - A broad survey covering 19 global markets found that nearly half of the companies have integrated AI into their operations, with the application rate in B2B e-commerce reaching 61%, focusing on personalized recommendations, content generation, and customer service [3][4]. - Social commerce is thriving, with 87% of companies engaging in social media, primarily on TikTok and Instagram, and 76% of e-commerce businesses expect social commerce sales to continue growing over the next five years [3][4]. Group 2: Logistics and Sales Strategies - Logistics is deemed a critical factor for sales, with 96% of retailers believing that logistics services are essential for ensuring sales, and 86% stating that free shipping and return services effectively boost sales [4]. - 78% of B2B retailers anticipate growth in website sales, and 61% have implemented AI across platforms, indicating a rapid evolution of the B2B e-commerce ecosystem towards consumer shopping speed, personalization, and innovation standards [4]. - 63% of retailers sell on three or more platforms, with 68% on Amazon and 87% active on social media, emphasizing the necessity of reaching users where they are [4]. Group 3: International Trade and Consumer Behavior - 64% of e-commerce retailers are engaged in international sales, with large enterprises at 88% and medium-sized enterprises at 85%, utilizing IOSS and EORI codes to optimize cross-border trade, while over half prefer DDP terms to simplify customs and tax processes [4]. - The report highlights a generational shift in consumer behavior, with Gen Z and Millennials dominating weekly online spending, while Generation Alpha is emerging as a new influential force in household purchasing [4][5]. Group 4: Subscription Models and Sales Events - 52% of companies offer product subscription services, and 14% provide subscription services for delivery and returns, indicating a shift in user loyalty strategies [5]. - 84% of retailers plan to participate in the 2025 "Black Friday" sales event, with 60% reporting year-on-year sales growth attributed to this event, although small businesses and individual merchants show a more subdued performance, with only 48% achieving growth [5]. - Convenience pick-up points are seen as essential by 96% of large and medium-sized e-commerce retailers for driving sales and repeat purchases, while 53% of individual merchants rely on this service for parcel delivery [5].