Ecommerce is on the brink of yet another transformative year. With global ecommerce expected to exceed US $7.5 trillion in sales by 2025 - this year! - the stakes for online retailers have never been higher. Brands that fail to evolve risk being left behind in a landscape defined by fierce competition, changing consumer behaviours, and rapid technological advancements. Is your business keeping up? At Blackpepper, we’ve been reflecting on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the ecommerce industry. In this blog, we’re diving into our predictions for 2025, informed by years of experience and conversations with leaders across retail and ecommerce. From AI-driven personalisation to the growing importance of "search everywhere optimisation", these insights are designed to help businesses like yours prepare for and navigate the year ahead. PS: This post is pretty long...Prefer a quick look at something specific? Jump ahead 👇🏼 Personalisation Became Non-Negotiable AI Took the Wheel Brand Awareness Is More Important Than Ever Major Legal Cases Could Reshape Ecommerce Gen Z Changed the Game Our Predictions for 2025 Brand Building as a Primary Focus Social Commerce is Still on the Rise Search Engine Visibility Still Matters. A Lot Take Up as Much SERP Real Estate as Possible Mix Up Your Marketing …But It’s Not Just Your Marketing Why Your Tech Stack Matters User Experience (UX) is VITAL Master Visual Assets & On-Site Personalisation Intuitive Navigation & Seamless Experiences are a Must The Future of Ecommerce in 2025 What Did We Learn in 2024? 2024 taught us a lot about adaptability in ecommerce. From the rise of hyper-personalisation to the way consumers search and shop, it was a year of eye-opening shifts for online retailers. Here’s what stood out the most. Personalisati...