DHL eCommerce has released its ‘E-Commerce Trends Report 2025’, drawing on insights from 24,000 online shoppers across 24 key markets worldwide.
For the Asia Pacific region, results show that delivery remains a significant barrier to purchase completion, with 77% of Asia Pacific respondents abandoning their carts when their preferred delivery options are unavailable.
Almost half of the surveyed shoppers in the Asia Pacific have also abandoned their carts due to sustainability concerns.
In other insights, social commerce continues to rise in popularity, with 85% of the region’s respondents expected to shop primarily through social media by 2030, bypassing traditional retail sites.
Meanwhile, AI-driven shopping tools are in high demand, as 81% of those surveyed in the Asia Pacific seek features such as virtual try-ons and voice search to assist their purchasing decisions.
This year’s study comprises eight chapters, featuring six shopper types across four generational segments, and highlights how evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the future of online retail.
While the report addresses an extensive range of topics from cross-border purchasing to shoppers’ views on sale days like Black Friday, four key findings stand out: the transformative impact of AI and social commerce on online shopping, the crucial role of delivery options in converting carts, and sustainability shaping customer loyalty.
“Asia Pacific has always been at the forefront of e-commerce due to its growing population of young, digital natives,” says DHL eCommerce CEO Pablo Ciano.
“The region’s online shoppers know what they like, and it’s important to recognise those changing behaviours that could make a significant difference to maintaining customer loyalty.
“As more of us shop online, we want a smooth experience. This is the entire journey from browsing to deciding if the item suits, to knowing that we have delivery options before making a convenient yet secure payment.”
Social commerce
Consumers are turning to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook not just for discovery, but for purchase.
In the Asia Pacific, 85% of respondents say they have already made a purchase via social media. This is expected to stay with more than eight out of 10 (85%) expecting these platforms to become their primary shopping destination by 2030.
AI
DHL’s latest e-commerce trend report reveals that AI is one of the most highly anticipated and demanded innovations among consumers, with 81% of respondents in the Asia Pacific wanting retailers to offer AI-powered shopping features.
Virtual try-ons, AI-powered shopping assistants, and voice-enabled product search top the list of features consumers in the Asia Pacific actively want to use.
Shopping via voice commands is already on the rise, where about one in two (47%) of the respondents in the region make hands-free purchases.
Delivery and returns
While new technologies continue to transform the digital shopping experience, DHL says the fundamentals of delivery and returns remain the biggest drivers of cart abandonment.
77% of respondents in the region will abandon their purchase if their preferred delivery option is not available.
Just as critically, 75% will leave if the return process doesn’t match their expectations.
Trust also plays a major role, with 65% of those surveyed in the Asia Pacific reporting that they will not buy from a retailer if they don’t trust the returns provider.
Sustainability
In the Asia Pacific, 79% of those surveyed now consider sustainability when making online purchases.
Consumers in the Asia Pacific are also embracing more circular models of consumption, with 52% opting for pre-owned or refurbished goods, motivated by both environmental values and cost efficiency.
Additionally, 72% of respondents in the Asia Pacific express a willingness to participate in recycling or buy-back programs offered by retailers.
