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imported>AsrdigiEditor Extended existing citation (Liu et al., 2022, Frontiers in Psychology, PMC9629147) to cover the adjacent uncited sentence about e-commerce security tools including firewalls, encryption and digital certificates. |
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{{Short description|Type of business industry usually conducted over the internet}} | {{Short description|Type of business industry usually conducted over the internet}} | ||
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} | ||
{{Ecommerce}} | {{Ecommerce}} | ||
'''E-commerce''' ('''electronic commerce''') refers to [[Commerce|commercial activities]] including the electronic buying or selling [[Goods and services|products and services]] which are conducted on online platforms or over the [[Internet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-COMMERCE |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/e-commerce |website=Cambridge Dictionary}}</ref> E-commerce draws on technologies such as [[mobile commerce]], [[electronic funds transfer]], [[supply chain management]], [[Online advertising|Internet marketing]], [[online transaction processing]], [[electronic data interchange]] (EDI), [[Inventory management software|inventory management systems]], and automated [[data collection]] systems. E-commerce is the largest | '''E-commerce''' ('''electronic commerce''') refers to [[Commerce|commercial activities]] including the electronic buying or selling [[Goods and services|products and services]] which are conducted on online platforms or over the [[Internet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-COMMERCE |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/e-commerce |website=Cambridge Dictionary}}</ref> E-commerce draws on technologies such as [[mobile commerce]], [[electronic funds transfer]], [[supply chain management]], [[Online advertising|Internet marketing]], [[online transaction processing]], [[electronic data interchange]] (EDI), [[Inventory management software|inventory management systems]], and automated [[data collection]] systems. E-commerce is a part of [[retail]]. It is the largest segment of the [[electronics industry]] and is in turn driven by the technological advances of the [[semiconductor industry]]. | ||
== Defining e-commerce == | == Defining e-commerce == | ||
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E-commerce businesses may also employ some or all of the following: | E-commerce businesses may also employ some or all of the following: | ||
* [[Online shopping]] for [[direct selling|retail sales direct]] to consumers via [[web sites]] and [[mobile apps]], [[conversational commerce]] via [[live chat]], [[chatbot]]s, and [[voice assistants]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bussey|first=Ed|date=6 March 2018|title=How to prepare your products and brand for conversational commerce|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/06/how-to-prepare-your-products-and-brand-for-conversational-commerce/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[VentureBeat]]|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929193753/https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/06/how-to-prepare-your-products-and-brand-for-conversational-commerce/}}</ref> | * [[Online shopping]] for [[direct selling|retail sales direct]] to consumers via [[web sites]] and [[mobile apps]], [[conversational commerce]] via [[live chat]], [[chatbot]]s, and [[voice assistants]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bussey|first=Ed|date=6 March 2018|title=How to prepare your products and brand for conversational commerce|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/06/how-to-prepare-your-products-and-brand-for-conversational-commerce/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[VentureBeat]]|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929193753/https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/06/how-to-prepare-your-products-and-brand-for-conversational-commerce/}}</ref> | ||
* Providing or participating in [[online marketplace]]s, which process third-party [[business-to-consumer]] (B2C) or [[consumer-to-consumer]] (C2C) sales | * Providing or participating in [[online marketplace]]s, which process third-party [[business-to-consumer]] (B2C) or [[consumer-to-consumer]] (C2C) sales. [[Drop shipping]] is commonplace in such operations. | ||
* [[B2B e-commerce|Business-to-business (B2B)]] buying and selling.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Ultimate Guide to eCommerce Marketing|url=https://www.mayple.com/ecommerce-marketing-strategy|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Mayple]]|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428042004/https://www.mayple.com/ecommerce-marketing-strategy}}</ref> | * [[B2B e-commerce|Business-to-business (B2B)]] buying and selling.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Ultimate Guide to eCommerce Marketing|url=https://www.mayple.com/ecommerce-marketing-strategy|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Mayple]]|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428042004/https://www.mayple.com/ecommerce-marketing-strategy}}</ref> B2B, or what is referred to as business-to-business is defined by the Cambridge dictionary as business arrangements or trade between different businesses, rather than between businesses and the general public.<ref>{{Cite news |title=B2B |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/b2b |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220504061744/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/b2b |archive-date=2022-05-04 |access-date=2026-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
* | * Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sales, in which manufactures or brands sell directly to end customers without traditional retail intermediaries. This model has expanded rapidly with the growth of digital storefronts and social commerce platforms such as Shopify, TikTok Shop, and Instagram Checkout. | ||
* Data-driven marketing, gathering demographic and behavioral data through web analytics and social media. | |||
* B2B [[electronic data interchange]]. | * B2B [[electronic data interchange]]. | ||
* Marketing to prospective and established [[customer]]s by [[email marketing|e-mail]] or fax (for example, with [[newsletter]]s). | * Marketing to prospective and established [[customer]]s by [[email marketing|e-mail]] or fax (for example, with [[newsletter]]s). | ||
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* Online financial exchanges for currency exchanges or trading purposes. | * Online financial exchanges for currency exchanges or trading purposes. | ||
There are five essential categories of | There are five essential categories of e-commerce:<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Simjanović |first1=Dušan J. |last2=Zdravković |first2=Nemanja |last3=Vesić |first3=Nenad O. |date=March 2022 |title=On the Factors of Successful e-Commerce Platform Design during and after COVID-19 Pandemic Using Extended Fuzzy AHP Method |journal=Axioms |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=105 |doi=10.3390/axioms11030105 |issn=2075-1680|doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
* Business to Business | * [[Business-to-business|Business-to-Business]] | ||
* Business to Consumer | * Business to Consumer [[Retail]] | ||
* Business to Government | * Business to Government | ||
* Consumer to | * [[Consumer-to-business]] | ||
* Consumer to Consumer | * [[Customer to customer|Consumer to Consumer]] | ||
* [[Direct-to-consumer|Direct-to-Consumer]] | |||
== Forms == | == Forms == | ||
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Conflict of laws in cyberspace is a major hurdle for harmonization of legal framework for e-commerce around the world. In order to give a uniformity to e-commerce law around the world, many countries adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/19-04970_ebook.pdf|title=UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce|publisher=[[United Nations Commission on International Trade Law]]|year=1999|isbn=92-1-133607-4|location=New York|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225221820/https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/19-04970_ebook.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | Conflict of laws in cyberspace is a major hurdle for harmonization of legal framework for e-commerce around the world. In order to give a uniformity to e-commerce law around the world, many countries adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/19-04970_ebook.pdf|title=UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce|publisher=[[United Nations Commission on International Trade Law]]|year=1999|isbn=92-1-133607-4|location=New York|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225221820/https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/19-04970_ebook.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
'''Internationally''' there is the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), which was formed in 1991 from an informal network of government customer fair trade organisations. The purpose was stated as being to find ways of co-operating on tackling consumer problems connected with cross-border transactions in both goods and services, and to help ensure exchanges of information among the participants for mutual benefit and understanding. From this came Econsumer.gov, an ICPEN initiative since April 2001. It is a portal to report complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies. | '''Internationally''' there is the [[International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network]] (ICPEN), which was formed in 1991 from an informal network of government customer fair trade organisations. The purpose was stated as being to find ways of co-operating on tackling consumer problems connected with cross-border transactions in both goods and services, and to help ensure exchanges of information among the participants for mutual benefit and understanding. From this came Econsumer.gov, an ICPEN initiative since April 2001. It is a portal to report complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies. | ||
There is also '''Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation'''. APEC was established in 1989 with the vision of achieving stability, security and prosperity for the region through free and open trade and investment. APEC has an Electronic Commerce Steering Group as well as working on common privacy regulations throughout the APEC region. | There is also '''Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation'''. APEC was established in 1989 with the vision of achieving stability, security and prosperity for the region through free and open trade and investment. APEC has an Electronic Commerce Steering Group as well as working on common privacy regulations throughout the APEC region. | ||
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The '''European Union''' undertook an extensive enquiry into e-commerce in 2015–16 which observed significant growth in the development of e-commerce, along with some developments which raised concerns, such as increased use of selective distribution systems, which allow manufacturers to control routes to market, and "increased use of contractual restrictions to better control product distribution". The [[European Commission]] felt that some emerging practices might be justified if they could improve the quality of product distribution, but "others may unduly prevent consumers from benefiting from greater product choice and lower prices in e-commerce and therefore warrant Commission action" in order to promote compliance with [[European Union competition law|EU competition rules]].<ref>European Commission, [https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/ict/sector-inquiry-e-commerce_en Sector inquiry into e-commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206060506/https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/ict/sector-inquiry-e-commerce_en |date=6 February 2023 }}, accessed 6 February 2023</ref> | The '''European Union''' undertook an extensive enquiry into e-commerce in 2015–16 which observed significant growth in the development of e-commerce, along with some developments which raised concerns, such as increased use of selective distribution systems, which allow manufacturers to control routes to market, and "increased use of contractual restrictions to better control product distribution". The [[European Commission]] felt that some emerging practices might be justified if they could improve the quality of product distribution, but "others may unduly prevent consumers from benefiting from greater product choice and lower prices in e-commerce and therefore warrant Commission action" in order to promote compliance with [[European Union competition law|EU competition rules]].<ref>European Commission, [https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/ict/sector-inquiry-e-commerce_en Sector inquiry into e-commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206060506/https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/ict/sector-inquiry-e-commerce_en |date=6 February 2023 }}, accessed 6 February 2023</ref> | ||
In '''the United Kingdom''', the [[Financial Services Authority]] (FSA)<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial Services Authority|url=http://www.fsa.gov.uk/portal/site/fsa|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228184712/http://www.fsa.gov.uk/portal/site/fsa|archive-date=28 December 2012|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Financial Services Authority]]}}</ref> was formerly the regulating authority for most aspects of the EU's [[Payment Services Directive]] (PSD), until its replacement in 2013 by the [[Prudential Regulation Authority (United Kingdom)|Prudential Regulation Authority]] and the [[Financial Conduct Authority]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Parker|first1=George|last2=Masters|first2=Brooke|date=16 June 2010|title=Osborne abolishes FSA and boosts Bank|work=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0203b99e-797f-11df-b063-00144feabdc0|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132651/https://www.ft.com/content/0203b99e-797f-11df-b063-00144feabdc0|url-status=live}}</ref> The UK implemented the PSD through the Payment Services Regulations 2009 (PSRs), which came into effect on 1 November 2009. The PSR affects firms providing payment services and their customers. These firms include banks, non-bank credit card issuers and non-bank merchant acquirers, e-money issuers, etc. The PSRs created a new class of regulated firms known as payment institutions (PIs), who are subject to prudential requirements. Article 87 of the PSD | In '''the United Kingdom''', the [[Financial Services Authority]] (FSA)<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial Services Authority|url=http://www.fsa.gov.uk/portal/site/fsa|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228184712/http://www.fsa.gov.uk/portal/site/fsa|archive-date=28 December 2012|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Financial Services Authority]]}}</ref> was formerly the regulating authority for most aspects of the EU's [[Payment Services Directive]] (PSD), until its replacement in 2013 by the [[Prudential Regulation Authority (United Kingdom)|Prudential Regulation Authority]] and the [[Financial Conduct Authority]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Parker|first1=George|last2=Masters|first2=Brooke|date=16 June 2010|title=Osborne abolishes FSA and boosts Bank|work=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0203b99e-797f-11df-b063-00144feabdc0|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132651/https://www.ft.com/content/0203b99e-797f-11df-b063-00144feabdc0|url-status=live}}</ref> The UK implemented the PSD through the Payment Services Regulations 2009 (PSRs), which came into effect on 1 November 2009. The PSR affects firms providing payment services and their customers. These firms include banks, non-bank credit card issuers and non-bank merchant acquirers, e-money issuers, etc. The PSRs created a new class of regulated firms known as payment institutions (PIs), who are subject to prudential requirements. Article 87 of the PSD required the European Commission to report on the implementation and impact of the PSD by 1 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 February 2009|title=The Payment Services Regulations 2009|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/209/contents/made|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[legislation.gov.uk]]|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312123339/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/209/contents/made}}</ref> | ||
In '''India''', the [[Information Technology Act 2000]] governs the basic applicability of [[E-commerce in India|e-commerce]]. | In '''India''', the [[Information Technology Act 2000]] governs the basic applicability of [[E-commerce in India|e-commerce]]. | ||
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E-commerce has become an important tool for small and large businesses worldwide, not only to sell to customers, but also to engage them.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Eisingerich|first1=Andreas B.|last2=Kretschmer|first2=Tobias|date=March 2008|title=In E-Commerce, More is More|url=https://hbr.org/2008/03/in-e-commerce-more-is-more|journal=[[Harvard Business Review]]|volume=86|pages=20–21|url-access=limited|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203204602/https://hbr.org/2008/03/in-e-commerce-more-is-more|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Burgess|first1=Stephen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n9KF8HtigrAC|title=Effective Web Presence Solutions for Small Businesses: Strategies for Successful Implementation: Strategies for Successful Implementation|last2=Sellitto|first2=Carmine|last3=Karanasios|first3=Stan|date=28 February 2009|publisher=[[IGI Global]]|isbn=9781605662251|publication-date=28 February 2009|access-date=4 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504223600/https://books.google.com/books/?id=n9KF8HtigrAC}}</ref> | E-commerce has become an important tool for small and large businesses worldwide, not only to sell to customers, but also to engage them.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Eisingerich|first1=Andreas B.|last2=Kretschmer|first2=Tobias|date=March 2008|title=In E-Commerce, More is More|url=https://hbr.org/2008/03/in-e-commerce-more-is-more|journal=[[Harvard Business Review]]|volume=86|pages=20–21|url-access=limited|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203204602/https://hbr.org/2008/03/in-e-commerce-more-is-more|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Burgess|first1=Stephen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n9KF8HtigrAC|title=Effective Web Presence Solutions for Small Businesses: Strategies for Successful Implementation: Strategies for Successful Implementation|last2=Sellitto|first2=Carmine|last3=Karanasios|first3=Stan|date=28 February 2009|publisher=[[IGI Global]]|isbn=9781605662251|publication-date=28 February 2009|access-date=4 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504223600/https://books.google.com/books/?id=n9KF8HtigrAC}}</ref> | ||
Cross-border e-Commerce is also an essential field for e-Commerce businesses. It has responded to the trend of globalization. It shows that numerous firms have opened up new businesses, expanded new markets, and overcome trade barriers; more and more enterprises have started exploring the cross-border cooperation field. In addition, compared with traditional cross-border trade, the information on cross-border e-commerce is more concealed. In the era of globalization, cross-border e-commerce for inter-firm companies means the activities, interactions, or social relations of two or more e-commerce enterprises. However, the success of cross-border e-commerce promotes the development of small and medium-sized firms, and it has finally become a new transaction mode. It has helped the companies solve financial problems and realize the reasonable allocation of resources field. SMEs ( small and medium enterprises) can also precisely match the demand and supply in the market, having the industrial chain majorization and creating more revenues for companies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Si-Hua |last2=Xiao |first2=Hua |last3=Huang |first3=Wen-de |last4=He |first4=Wei |date=2022-01-02 |title=Cooperation of Cross-border E-commerce: A reputation and trust perspective |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2021.2022396 |journal=Journal of Global Information Technology Management |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=7–25 |doi=10.1080/1097198X.2021.2022396 |s2cid=246867732 |issn=1097-198X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> | Cross-border e-Commerce is also an essential field for e-Commerce businesses. It has responded to the trend of globalization. It shows that numerous firms have opened up new businesses, expanded new markets, and overcome trade barriers; more and more enterprises have started exploring the cross-border cooperation field. In addition, compared with traditional cross-border trade, the information on cross-border e-commerce is more concealed. In the era of globalization, cross-border e-commerce for inter-firm companies means the activities, interactions, or social relations of two or more e-commerce enterprises. However, the success of cross-border e-commerce promotes the development of small and medium-sized firms, and it has finally become a new transaction mode. It has helped the companies solve financial problems and realize the reasonable allocation of resources field. SMEs (small and medium enterprises) can also precisely match the demand and supply in the market, having the industrial chain majorization and creating more revenues for companies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Si-Hua |last2=Xiao |first2=Hua |last3=Huang |first3=Wen-de |last4=He |first4=Wei |date=2022-01-02 |title=Cooperation of Cross-border E-commerce: A reputation and trust perspective |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2021.2022396 |journal=Journal of Global Information Technology Management |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=7–25 |doi=10.1080/1097198X.2021.2022396 |s2cid=246867732 |issn=1097-198X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> | ||
In 2012, e-commerce sales topped $1 trillion for the first time in history.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 February 2013|title=Ecommerce Sales Topped $1 Trillion for First Time in 2012|url=https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Ecommerce-Sales-Topped-1-Trillion-First-Time-2012/1009649|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|work=[[eMarketer]]|archive-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330180629/https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Ecommerce-Sales-Topped-1-Trillion-First-Time-2012/1009649}}</ref> | In 2012, e-commerce sales topped $1 trillion for the first time in history.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 February 2013|title=Ecommerce Sales Topped $1 Trillion for First Time in 2012|url=https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Ecommerce-Sales-Topped-1-Trillion-First-Time-2012/1009649|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|work=[[eMarketer]]|archive-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330180629/https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Ecommerce-Sales-Topped-1-Trillion-First-Time-2012/1009649}}</ref> | ||
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Mobile devices are playing an increasing role in the mix of e-commerce, this is also commonly called mobile commerce, or m-commerce. In 2014, one estimate saw purchases made on mobile devices making up 25% of the market by 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Enright|first=Allison|date=25 April 2013|title=U.S. e-commerce sales could top $434 billion in 2017|url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/04/25/us-e-commerce-sales-could-top-434-billion-2017/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Digital Commerce 360]]|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202043908/https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/04/25/us-e-commerce-sales-could-top-434-billion-2017/}}</ref> | Mobile devices are playing an increasing role in the mix of e-commerce, this is also commonly called mobile commerce, or m-commerce. In 2014, one estimate saw purchases made on mobile devices making up 25% of the market by 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Enright|first=Allison|date=25 April 2013|title=U.S. e-commerce sales could top $434 billion in 2017|url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/04/25/us-e-commerce-sales-could-top-434-billion-2017/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Digital Commerce 360]]|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202043908/https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/04/25/us-e-commerce-sales-could-top-434-billion-2017/}}</ref> | ||
For traditional businesses, one research stated that information technology and cross-border e-commerce is a good opportunity for the rapid development and growth of enterprises. Many companies have invested an enormous volume of investment in mobile applications. The DeLone and McLean Model stated that three perspectives contribute to a successful e-business: information system quality, service quality and users' satisfaction.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=DeLone|first1=William H.|last2=McLean|first2=Ephraim R.|date=8 December 2014|title=Measuring e-Commerce Success: Applying the DeLone & McLean Information Systems Success Model|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|journal=International Journal of Electronic Commerce|volume=9|issue=1|pages=31–47|doi=10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|via=Taylor & Francis|s2cid=205751936|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=23 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323032755/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> There is no limit of time and space, there are more opportunities to reach out to customers around the world, and to cut down unnecessary intermediate links, thereby reducing the cost price, and can benefit from one on one large customer data analysis, to achieve a high degree of personal customization strategic plan, in order to fully enhance the core competitiveness of the products in the company.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bakos|first1=Yannis|date=2001|title=The Emerging Landscape for Retail E-Commerce | For traditional businesses, one research stated that information technology and cross-border e-commerce is a good opportunity for the rapid development and growth of enterprises. Many companies have invested an enormous volume of investment in mobile applications. The DeLone and McLean Model stated that three perspectives contribute to a successful e-business: information system quality, service quality and users' satisfaction.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=DeLone|first1=William H.|last2=McLean|first2=Ephraim R.|date=8 December 2014|title=Measuring e-Commerce Success: Applying the DeLone & McLean Information Systems Success Model|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|journal=International Journal of Electronic Commerce|volume=9|issue=1|pages=31–47|doi=10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|via=Taylor & Francis|s2cid=205751936|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=23 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323032755/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10864415.2004.11044317|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> There is no limit of time and space, there are more opportunities to reach out to customers around the world, and to cut down unnecessary intermediate links, thereby reducing the cost price, and can benefit from one on one large customer data analysis, to achieve a high degree of personal customization strategic plan, in order to fully enhance the core competitiveness of the products in the company.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bakos|first1=Yannis|date=2001|title=The Emerging Landscape for Retail E-Commerce|journal=[[Journal of Economic Perspectives]]|volume=15|issue=1|pages=69–80|citeseerx=10.1.1.4.9128|doi=10.1257/jep.15.1.69 |doi-access=free}}</ref> | ||
Modern 3D graphics technologies, such as [[Facebook 3D Posts]], are considered by some social media marketers and advertisers as a preferable way to promote consumer goods than static photos, and some brands like Sony are already paving the way for augmented reality commerce. Wayfair now lets you inspect a 3D version of its furniture in a home setting before buying.<ref>{{cite news|last=Constine|first=Josh|date=20 February 2018|title=Facebook's plan to unite AR, VR and News Feed with 3D posts|work=[[TechCrunch]]|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/20/facebook-3d-posts/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090211/https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/20/facebook-3d-posts/}}</ref> | Modern 3D graphics technologies, such as [[Facebook 3D Posts]], are considered by some social media marketers and advertisers as a preferable way to promote consumer goods than static photos, and some brands like Sony are already paving the way for augmented reality commerce. Wayfair now lets you inspect a 3D version of its furniture in a home setting before buying.<ref>{{cite news|last=Constine|first=Josh|date=20 February 2018|title=Facebook's plan to unite AR, VR and News Feed with 3D posts|work=[[TechCrunch]]|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/20/facebook-3d-posts/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090211/https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/20/facebook-3d-posts/}}</ref> | ||
=== China === | === China === | ||
{{Main | {{Main|E-commerce in China}} | ||
Among emerging economies, China's e-commerce presence | Among emerging economies, China's e-commerce presence continued to expand every year. With 668 million Internet users as of 2014, China's online shopping sales reached $253 billion in the first half of 2015, accounting for 10% of total Chinese consumer retail sales in that period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Millward |first=Steven |date=18 August 2015 |title=China is making a huge shift to mobile |url=https://www.techinasia.com/china-internet-social-media-ecommerce-stats-2015 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306203048/https://www.techinasia.com/china-internet-social-media-ecommerce-stats-2015 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Tech in Asia]] |type=Infographic}}</ref> The Chinese retailers have been able to help consumers feel more comfortable shopping online.<ref>{{cite news |last=Olsen |first=Robert |date=18 January 2010 |title=China's Migration To E-Commerce |newspaper=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/18/china-internet-commerce-markets-equities-alibaba.html/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806145344/https://www.forbes.com/2010/01/18/china-internet-commerce-markets-equities-alibaba.html |archive-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> e-commerce transactions between China and other countries increased 32% to 2.3 trillion yuan ($375.8 billion) in 2012 and accounted for 9.6% of China's total international trade.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tong |first=Frank |date=16 September 2013 |title=China's cross‑border e‑commerce tops $375 billion in 2012 |newspaper=[[Digital Commerce 360]] |publisher=[[Vertical Web Media LLC]] |url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/09/16/chinas-cross-border-e-commerce-tops-375-billion-2012/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018171240/https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2013/09/16/chinas-cross-border-e-commerce-tops-375-billion-2012/ |archive-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> In 2013, [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]] had an e-commerce market share of 80% in China.<ref>{{cite web |author=Millward |first=Steven |date=17 September 2014 |title=Here are all the must-see numbers on Alibaba ahead of record-breaking IPO |url=http://www.techinasia.com/alibaba-numbers-ipo-breaks-records-2014/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920190816/http://www.techinasia.com/alibaba-numbers-ipo-breaks-records-2014/ |archive-date=20 September 2014 |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=[[Tech in Asia]]}}</ref> In 2014, Alibaba still dominated the B2B marketplace in China with a market share of 44.82%, followed by several other companies including Made-in-China.com at 3.21%, and GlobalSources.com at 2.98%, with the total transaction value of China's B2B market exceeding 4.5 billion yuan.<ref>{{cite web |last=PYMNTS.com |date=22 October 2014 |title=China B2B Passes 4.5B Yuan |url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/2014/china-b2b-passes-4-5b-yuan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308085620/https://www.pymnts.com/news/2014/china-b2b-passes-4-5b-yuan/ |archive-date=8 March 2023 |access-date=8 March 2023 |website=PYMNTS.com}}</ref> In 2012, Alibaba Group delisted Alibaba.com from the Hong Kong stock exchange after acquiring full control. In 2014, it was privately held again following a $2.5 billion buyback.<ref>{{Cite web |title=China's leading B2B platform delisted - Business - Chinadaily.com.cn |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-06/21/content_15516659.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421170046/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-06/21/content_15516659.htm |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref> The company's NYSE debut under the stock ticker BABA made headlines for being, at that time, the biggest IPO in U.S. history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Everett Rosenfeld, Evelyn |date=2014-09-18 |title=Alibaba prices IPO at $68 a share |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/09/18/alibaba-prices-shares-at-68-a-share-dj.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601175337/https://www.cnbc.com/2014/09/18/alibaba-prices-shares-at-68-a-share-dj.html |archive-date=June 1, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Alibaba's International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC), which includes Alibaba.com's B2B operations, reported 22% year-over-year revenue growth in the quarter ending March 31, 2025 (Q4 FY2025).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brohan |first=Mark |date=2025-05-19 |title=Alibaba's B2B ecommerce engine powers Q4 surge |url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2025/05/19/alibaba-b2b-ecommerce-revenue-q4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101083354/https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2025/05/19/alibaba-b2b-ecommerce-revenue-q4/ |archive-date=January 1, 2026 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Digital Commerce 360 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
China | China was also the largest e-commerce market in the world by value of sales, with an estimated {{USD|899 billion}} in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last=Millward |first=Steven |date=18 August 2016 |title=Asia's ecommerce spending to hit record $1 trillion this year – but most of that is China |url=https://www.techinasia.com/asia-ecommerce-spending-1-trillion-dollars-2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819043228/https://www.techinasia.com/asia-ecommerce-spending-1-trillion-dollars-2016 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=[[Tech in Asia]]}}</ref> It accounted for 42.4% of worldwide retail e-commerce in that year, the most of any country.<ref name="Hu-2023">{{Cite book |last=Hu |first=Richard |title=Reinventing the Chinese City |date=2023 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-21101-7 |location=New York}}</ref>{{Rp|page=110}} Research shows that Chinese consumer motivations are different enough from Western audiences to require unique e-commerce app designs instead of simply porting Western apps into the Chinese market.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Parker |first1=Christopher J. |last2=Wenyu |first2=Lu |date=13 May 2019 |title=What influences Chinese fashion retail? Shopping motivations, demographics and spending |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-09-2017-0093/full/html |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=158–175 |doi=10.1108/jfmm-09-2017-0093 |issn=1361-2026 |s2cid=170031856 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308110006/https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-09-2017-0093/full/html |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=16 April 2021|url-access=subscription }}</ref> | ||
The expansion of e-commerce in China has resulted in the development of [[Taobao village]]s, clusters of e-commerce businesses operating in rural areas.<ref name="Hu-2023" />{{Rp|page=112}} Because Taobao villages have increased the incomes or rural people and entrepreneurship in rural China, Taobao villages have become a component of rural revitalization strategies.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Yang |first1=Saidi |last2=Wang |first2=Puqing |last3=Zhou |first3=Deyi |chapter=Transformation and Development of Taobao Village in China Based on "Zhijiang Mode" |date=2021 |title=Proceedings of the 2020 3rd International Seminar on Education Research and Social Science (ISERSS 2020) |location=Paris, France |publisher=Atlantis Press |doi=10.2991/assehr.k.210120.053|doi-access=free |isbn=978-94-6239-316-5 }}</ref>{{Rp|page=278}} | The expansion of e-commerce in China has resulted in the development of [[Taobao village]]s, clusters of e-commerce businesses operating in rural areas.<ref name="Hu-2023" />{{Rp|page=112}} Because Taobao villages have increased the incomes or rural people and entrepreneurship in rural China, Taobao villages have become a component of rural revitalization strategies.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Yang |first1=Saidi |last2=Wang |first2=Puqing |last3=Zhou |first3=Deyi |chapter=Transformation and Development of Taobao Village in China Based on "Zhijiang Mode" |date=2021 |title=Proceedings of the 2020 3rd International Seminar on Education Research and Social Science (ISERSS 2020) |location=Paris, France |publisher=Atlantis Press |doi=10.2991/assehr.k.210120.053|doi-access=free |isbn=978-94-6239-316-5 }}</ref>{{Rp|page=278}} | ||
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The rate of growth of the number of internet users in the Arab countries has been rapid – 13.1% in 2015. A significant portion of the e-commerce market in the Middle East comprises people in the 30–34 year age group. Egypt has the largest number of internet users in the region, followed by Saudi Arabia and Morocco; these constitute 3/4th of the region's share. Yet, internet penetration is low: 35% in Egypt and 65% in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2016 |title=Ecommerce in the Middle East – What are the demographics? |url=https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/ecommerce-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-demographics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827010001/https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/ecommerce-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-demographics |archive-date=27 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Embitel]]}}</ref> | The rate of growth of the number of internet users in the Arab countries has been rapid – 13.1% in 2015. A significant portion of the e-commerce market in the Middle East comprises people in the 30–34 year age group. Egypt has the largest number of internet users in the region, followed by Saudi Arabia and Morocco; these constitute 3/4th of the region's share. Yet, internet penetration is low: 35% in Egypt and 65% in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2016 |title=Ecommerce in the Middle East – What are the demographics? |url=https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/ecommerce-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-demographics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827010001/https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/ecommerce-in-the-middle-east-what-are-the-demographics |archive-date=27 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Embitel]]}}</ref> | ||
The [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] countries have a rapidly growing market and are characterized by a population that becomes wealthier (Yuldashev). As such, retailers have launched Arabic-language websites as a means to target this population. Secondly, there are predictions of increased mobile purchases and an expanding internet audience (Yuldashev). The growth and development of the two aspects make the GCC countries become larger players in the electronic commerce market with time progress. Specifically, research shows that the e-commerce market | The [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] countries have a rapidly growing market and are characterized by a population that becomes wealthier (Yuldashev). As such, retailers have launched Arabic-language websites as a means to target this population. Secondly, there are predictions of increased mobile purchases and an expanding internet audience (Yuldashev). The growth and development of the two aspects make the GCC countries become larger players in the electronic commerce market with time progress. Specifically, research shows that the e-commerce market was expected to grow to over $20 billion by 2020 among these GCC countries (Yuldashev). The e-commerce market has also gained much popularity among western countries, and in particular Europe and the U.S. These countries have been highly characterized by consumer-packaged goods (CPG) (Geisler, 34). However, trends show that there are future signs of a reverse. Similar to the GCC countries, there has been increased purchase of goods and services in online channels rather than offline channels. Activist investors are trying hard to consolidate and slash their overall cost and the governments in western countries continue to impose more regulation on CPG manufacturers (Geisler, 36). In these senses, CPG investors are being forced to adapt to e-commerce as it is effective as well as a means for them to thrive. | ||
The future trends in the GCC countries will be similar to that of the western countries. Despite the forces that push business to adapt e-commerce as a means to sell goods and products, the manner in which customers make purchases is similar in countries from these two regions. For instance, there has been an increased usage of smartphones which comes in conjunction with an increase in the overall internet audience from the regions. Yuldashev writes that consumers are scaling up to more modern technology that allows for mobile marketing. | The future trends in the GCC countries will be similar to that of the western countries. Despite the forces that push business to adapt e-commerce as a means to sell goods and products, the manner in which customers make purchases is similar in countries from these two regions. For instance, there has been an increased usage of smartphones which comes in conjunction with an increase in the overall internet audience from the regions. Yuldashev writes that consumers are scaling up to more modern technology that allows for mobile marketing. | ||
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=== India === | === India === | ||
{{Main | {{Main|E-commerce in India}} | ||
India | |||
India had an Internet user base of about 460 million as of December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keelery |first=Sandhya |date=7 July 2020 |title=Internet usage in India – statistics & facts |url=https://www.statista.com/topics/2157/internet-usage-in-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230114442/https://www.statista.com/topics/2157/internet-usage-in-india/ |archive-date=30 December 2017 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Statista]]}}</ref> Despite being the third largest user base in the world, the penetration of the Internet is low compared to markets like the United States, United Kingdom or France but is growing at a much faster rate, adding around six million new entrants every month.{{Citation needed|date = October 2015}} In India, cash on delivery is the most preferred payment method, accumulating 75% of the e-retail activities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasumarthy |first=Phani Bhaskar |date=December 2016 |title=AFFECT OF DEMONETIZATION ON E-COMMERCE |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311518414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026152116/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311518414_AFFECT_OF_DEMONETIZATION_ON_E-COMMERCE |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date = October 2015}} The India retail market was expected to rise from 2.5% in 2016 to 5% in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2016 |title=Fulfilled!:India's e-commerce retail logistics growth story |url=https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/in/pdf/2016/08/E-commerce-retail-logistics-India.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508153115/https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/in/pdf/2016/08/E-commerce-retail-logistics-India.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[KPMG]]}}</ref> | |||
=== Brazil === | === Brazil === | ||
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== Logistics == | == Logistics == | ||
Logistics in e-commerce mainly concerns fulfillment. Online markets and retailers have to find the best possible way to fill orders and deliver products. Small companies usually control their own logistic operation because they do not have the ability to hire an outside company. Most large companies hire a fulfillment service that takes care of a company's logistic needs.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Kawa|first=Arkadiusz|date=2017|title=Fulfillment Service in E-Commerce Logistics|url=https://www.logforum.net/pdf/13_4_4_17.pdf|journal=[[LogForum]]|volume=13|issue=4|pages=429–438|doi=10.17270/J.LOG.2017.4.4|issn=1895-2038|eissn=1734-459X|doi-access=free|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504223600/https://www.logforum.net/pdf/13_4_4_17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The optimization of logistics processes that contains long-term investment in an efficient storage infrastructure system and adoption of inventory management strategies is crucial to prioritize customer satisfaction throughout the entire process, from order placement to final delivery.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gomes |first1=Alysson Cáceres |last2=Junior |first2=Francisco Bezerra de Lima |last3=Soliani |first3=Rodrigo Duarte |last4=Oliveira |first4=Pollyana Rufino de Souza |last5=Oliveira |first5=Dion Alves de |last6=Siqueira |first6=Reinaldo Maia |last7=Nora |first7=Leonardo Augusto Rodrigues da Silva |last8=Macêdo |first8=Jailson Juracy Souza de |date=2023-05-10 |title=Logistics management in e-commerce: challenges and opportunities |url=https://ojs.revistagesec.org.br/secretariado/article/view/2119 |journal=Revista de Gestão e Secretariado | Logistics in e-commerce mainly concerns [[Order fulfillment|fulfillment]]. Online markets and retailers have to find the best possible way to fill orders and deliver products. Small companies usually control their own logistic operation because they do not have the ability to hire an outside company. Most large companies hire a fulfillment service that takes care of a company's logistic needs.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Kawa|first=Arkadiusz|date=2017|title=Fulfillment Service in E-Commerce Logistics|url=https://www.logforum.net/pdf/13_4_4_17.pdf|journal=[[LogForum]]|volume=13|issue=4|pages=429–438|doi=10.17270/J.LOG.2017.4.4|issn=1895-2038|eissn=1734-459X|doi-access=free|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504223600/https://www.logforum.net/pdf/13_4_4_17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The optimization of logistics processes that contains long-term investment in an efficient storage infrastructure system and adoption of inventory management strategies is crucial to prioritize customer satisfaction throughout the entire process, from order placement to final delivery.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gomes |first1=Alysson Cáceres |last2=Junior |first2=Francisco Bezerra de Lima |last3=Soliani |first3=Rodrigo Duarte |last4=Oliveira |first4=Pollyana Rufino de Souza |last5=Oliveira |first5=Dion Alves de |last6=Siqueira |first6=Reinaldo Maia |last7=Nora |first7=Leonardo Augusto Rodrigues da Silva |last8=Macêdo |first8=Jailson Juracy Souza de |date=2023-05-10 |title=Logistics management in e-commerce: challenges and opportunities |url=https://ojs.revistagesec.org.br/secretariado/article/view/2119 |journal=Revista de Gestão e Secretariado |language=en |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=7252–7272 |doi=10.7769/gesec.v14i5.2119 |issn=2178-9010|doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
==Impacts== | ==Impacts== | ||
===Impact on markets and retailers=== | ===Impact on markets and retailers=== | ||
[[File:Store_Closing_Flags.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|325x325px|Store closing flags outside a [[Toys "R" Us|Toys R Us]] in Deptford, New Jersey. Despite investments, the chain struggled to win market share in the age of digital commerce. ]] | [[File:Store_Closing_Flags.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|325x325px|Store closing flags outside a [[Toys "R" Us|Toys R Us]] in Deptford, New Jersey. Despite investments, the chain struggled to win market share in the age of digital commerce. ]] | ||
E-commerce markets | E-commerce markets grew at noticeable rates. The online market was expected to grow by 56% in 2015–2020. In 2017, retail e-commerce sales worldwide amounted to 2.3 trillion US dollars and e-retail revenues were projected to grow to 4.891 trillion US dollars in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sabanoglu|first=Tugba|date=26 March 2021|title=Retail e-commerce sales worldwide from 2014 to 2024|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Statista]]|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122172313/https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/}}</ref> Traditional markets are only expected 2% growth during the same time. [[Brick and mortar]] retailers are struggling because of online retailer's ability to offer lower prices and higher efficiency. Many larger retailers are able to maintain a presence offline and online by linking physical and online offerings.<ref name="BBC News" /> | ||
E-commerce allows customers to overcome geographical barriers and allows them to purchase products anytime and from anywhere. Online and traditional markets have different strategies for conducting business. Traditional retailers offer fewer assortment of products because of shelf space where, online retailers often hold no inventory but send customer orders directly to the manufacturer. The pricing strategies are also different for traditional and online retailers. Traditional retailers base their prices on store traffic and the cost to keep inventory. Online retailers base prices on the speed of delivery. | E-commerce allows customers to overcome geographical barriers and allows them to purchase products anytime and from anywhere. Online and traditional markets have different strategies for conducting business. Traditional retailers offer fewer assortment of products because of shelf space where, online retailers often hold no inventory but send customer orders directly to the manufacturer. [[Dropshipping]] is a means of shipping goods from a manufacturer or wholesaler directly to a customer instead of to a retailer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of DROP-SHIP |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop-ship |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118184239/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop-ship |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> This process results in the vendor not holding any stock but serves as an intermediary between the buyer and the third-party supplier.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dropshipping {{!}} Definition, Facts, Advantages, & Disadvantages {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/drop-shipper |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250423060247/https://www.britannica.com/topic/drop-shipper |archive-date=2025-04-23 |access-date=2026-01-13 |work=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> The dropshipping market is expected to reach $1.51 Tn by 2032, according to a Global Market Insights report, which studied the main dropshipping markets, including Alibaba.com, Chinabrands.com, Doba, Printful, Salehoo, Shopify, and Spocket.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dropshipping Market to reach $1.51 Tn by 2032, Says Global Market Insights Inc. |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dropshipping-market-reach-1-51-113000625.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241002140227/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dropshipping-market-reach-1-51-113000625.html |archive-date=2024-10-02 |access-date=2026-01-13 |work=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref> The pricing strategies are also different for traditional and online retailers. Traditional retailers base their prices on store traffic and the cost to keep inventory. Online retailers base prices on the speed of delivery. | ||
There are two ways for marketers to conduct business through e-commerce: fully online or online along with a brick and mortar store. Online marketers can offer lower prices, greater product selection, and high efficiency rates. Many customers prefer online markets if the products can be delivered quickly at relatively low price. However, online retailers cannot offer the physical experience that traditional retailers can. It can be difficult to judge the quality of a product without the physical experience, which may cause customers to experience product or seller uncertainty. Another issue regarding the online market is concerns about the security of online transactions. Many customers remain loyal to well-known retailers because of this issue.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dimoka|first1=Angelika|last2=Hong|first2=Yili|last3=Pavlou|first3=Paul A.|date=June 2012|title=On Product Uncertainty in Online Markets: Theory and Evidence|url=https://yilihong.github.io/paper/Product%20Uncertainty%20in%20Online%20Markets_Dimoka_Hong_Pavlou2012.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=[[Management Information Systems Quarterly]]|volume=36|issue=2|pages=395–426|doi=10.2307/41703461|jstor=41703461|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106174640/http://yilihong.github.io/paper/Product%20Uncertainty%20in%20Online%20Markets_Dimoka_Hong_Pavlou2012.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2018|access-date=4 May 2021|s2cid=8963257}}</ref> | There are two ways for marketers to conduct business through e-commerce: fully online or online along with a brick and mortar store. Online marketers can offer lower prices, greater product selection, and high efficiency rates. Many customers prefer online markets if the products can be delivered quickly at relatively low price. However, online retailers cannot offer the physical experience that traditional retailers can. It can be difficult to judge the quality of a product without the physical experience, which may cause customers to experience product or seller uncertainty. Another issue regarding the online market is concerns about the security of online transactions. Many customers remain loyal to well-known retailers because of this issue.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dimoka|first1=Angelika|last2=Hong|first2=Yili|author3-link=Paul Pavlou|last3=Pavlou|first3=Paul A.|date=June 2012|title=On Product Uncertainty in Online Markets: Theory and Evidence|url=https://yilihong.github.io/paper/Product%20Uncertainty%20in%20Online%20Markets_Dimoka_Hong_Pavlou2012.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=[[Management Information Systems Quarterly]]|volume=36|issue=2|pages=395–426|doi=10.2307/41703461|jstor=41703461|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106174640/http://yilihong.github.io/paper/Product%20Uncertainty%20in%20Online%20Markets_Dimoka_Hong_Pavlou2012.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2018|access-date=4 May 2021|s2cid=8963257}}</ref> | ||
Security is a primary problem for e-commerce in developed and developing countries. E-commerce security is protecting businesses' websites and customers from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. The type of threats include: malicious codes, unwanted programs ([[Adware|ad ware]], [[spyware]]), [[phishing]], [[Hacker|hacking]], and [[Vandalism|cyber vandalism]]. E-commerce websites use different tools to avert security threats. These tools include [[Firewall (computing)|firewalls]], [[encryption software]], digital certificates, and passwords. | Security is a primary problem for e-commerce in developed and developing countries. E-commerce security is protecting businesses' websites and customers from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. The type of threats include: malicious codes, unwanted programs ([[Adware|ad ware]], [[spyware]]), [[phishing]], [[Hacker|hacking]], and [[Vandalism|cyber vandalism]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Xiang |last2=Ahmad |first2=Sayed Fayaz |last3=Anser |first3=Muhammad Khalid |last4=Ke |first4=Jingying |last5=Irshad |first5=Muhammad |last6=Ul-Haq |first6=Jabbar |last7=Abbas |first7=Shujaat |date=2022 |title=Cyber security threats: A never-ending challenge for e-commerce |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |volume=13 |article-number=927398 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.927398 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-1078 |pmc=9629147 |pmid=36337532}}</ref> E-commerce websites use different tools to avert security threats. These tools include [[Firewall (computing)|firewalls]], [[encryption software]], digital certificates, and passwords.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
===Impact on supply chain management=== | ===Impact on supply chain management=== | ||
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=== Impact on the environment === | === Impact on the environment === | ||
In 2018, E-commerce generated {{convert|1.3|e6ST|abbr=off}} of container [[cardboard]] in North America, an increase from {{convert|1.1|e6ST|abbr=values}}) in 2017. Only 35 percent of North American cardboard manufacturing capacity | In 2018, E-commerce generated {{convert|1.3|e6ST|abbr=off}} of container [[cardboard]] in North America, an increase from {{convert|1.1|e6ST|abbr=values}}) in 2017. Only 35 percent of North American cardboard manufacturing capacity was from recycled content. The recycling rate in Europe was 80 percent and Asia was 93 percent. Amazon, the largest user of [[Cardboard box|boxes]], had a strategy to cut back on packing material and reduced packaging material used by 19 percent by weight since 2016. Amazon is requiring retailers to manufacture their product packaging in a way that does not require additional shipping packaging. Amazon also has an 85-person team researching ways to reduce and improve their packaging and shipping materials.<ref>{{cite news|last=DePillis|first=Lynda|date=16 July 2019|title=Amazon's incredible, vanishing cardboard box|work=[[CNN Business]]|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/16/business/amazon-cardboard-box-prime-day/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716130808/https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/16/business/amazon-cardboard-box-prime-day/index.html|archive-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> | ||
Accelerated movement of packages around the world includes accelerated movement of living things, | Accelerated movement of packages around the world includes accelerated movement of living things, such as [[invasive species]].<ref name="Newman-2020" /> [[Weed]]s, [[crop pest|pests]], and [[crop disease|disease]]s all sometimes travel in packages of seeds.<ref name="Newman-2020" /> Some of these packages are part of [[brushing (e-commerce)|brushing manipulation]] of e-commerce reviews.<ref name="Newman-2020">{{cite news | access-date=2022-09-17 | year=2020 | last1=Newman | first1=Jesse | last2=Bunge | first2=Jacob | newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-postal-service-is-urged-to-stop-delivering-mysterious-seeds-11596555249 | title=U.S. Postal Service Is Urged to Stop Delivering Mysterious Seeds | archive-date=20 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920192435/https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-postal-service-is-urged-to-stop-delivering-mysterious-seeds-11596555249 | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
=== Impact on traditional retail === | === Impact on traditional retail === | ||
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== E-commerce during COVID-19 == | == E-commerce during COVID-19 == | ||
{{further|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic}} | {{further|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic#E-commerce}} | ||
In March 2020, global retail website traffic hit 14.3 billion visits<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clement|first=J.|date=12 February 2021|title=Most popular online retail websites worldwide in 2020, by average monthly traffic|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/274708/online-retail-and-auction-ranked-by-worldwide-audiences/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Statista]]|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521233438/https://www.statista.com/statistics/274708/online-retail-and-auction-ranked-by-worldwide-audiences/}}</ref> signifying an unprecedented growth of e-commerce during the lockdown of 2020. Later studies show that online sales increased by 25% and online grocery shopping increased by over 100% during the crisis in the United States.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Song |first=Zhouying |date=January 2022 |title=The geography of online shopping in China and its key drivers |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23998083211002189 |journal=Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science |language=en |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=259–274 |doi=10.1177/23998083211002189 |s2cid=233623855 |issn=2399-8083 |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210000327/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23998083211002189 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Meanwhile, as many as 29% of surveyed shoppers state that they will never go back to shopping in person again; in the UK, 43% of consumers state that they expect to keep on shopping the same way even after the lockdown is over.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuhuk|first=Jane|date=19 May 2020|title=COVID-19 shopping behavior: what products would customers rather buy online?|url=https://competera.net/resources/articles/ecommerce-online-shopping-behavior-retail-infographic|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Competera]]|type=Infographic|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521233436/https://competera.net/resources/articles/ecommerce-online-shopping-behavior-retail-infographic}}</ref> | In March 2020, global retail website traffic hit 14.3 billion visits<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clement|first=J.|date=12 February 2021|title=Most popular online retail websites worldwide in 2020, by average monthly traffic|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/274708/online-retail-and-auction-ranked-by-worldwide-audiences/|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Statista]]|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521233438/https://www.statista.com/statistics/274708/online-retail-and-auction-ranked-by-worldwide-audiences/}}</ref> signifying an unprecedented growth of e-commerce during the lockdown of 2020. Later studies show that online sales increased by 25% and online grocery shopping increased by over 100% during the crisis in the United States.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Song |first=Zhouying |date=January 2022 |title=The geography of online shopping in China and its key drivers |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23998083211002189 |journal=Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science |language=en |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=259–274 |doi=10.1177/23998083211002189 |bibcode=2022EnPlB..49..259S |s2cid=233623855 |issn=2399-8083 |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210000327/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23998083211002189 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Meanwhile, as many as 29% of surveyed shoppers state that they will never go back to shopping in person again; in the UK, 43% of consumers state that they expect to keep on shopping the same way even after the lockdown is over.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuhuk|first=Jane|date=19 May 2020|title=COVID-19 shopping behavior: what products would customers rather buy online?|url=https://competera.net/resources/articles/ecommerce-online-shopping-behavior-retail-infographic|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=[[Competera]]|type=Infographic|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521233436/https://competera.net/resources/articles/ecommerce-online-shopping-behavior-retail-infographic}}</ref> | ||
Retail sales of e-commerce shows that COVID-19 has a significant impact on e-commerce and its sales | Retail sales of e-commerce shows that COVID-19 has a significant impact on e-commerce and its sales were expected to reach $6.5 trillion by 2023.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Anam|first1=Bhatti|last2=Akram|first2=Hamza|last3=Basit|first3=Hafiz Muhammad|last4=Khan|first4=Ahmed Usman|last5=Naqvi|first5=Syeda Mahwish Raza|last6=Bilal|first6=Muhammad|date=2020|title=E-commerce trends during COVID-19 Pandemic|url=https://lovacky.eu/ws/media-library/8291b8bb61d0458d9bec753432dc4842/qualitativepaper.pdf|journal=[[International Journal of Future Generation Communication and Networking]]|volume=13|issue=2|pages=1449–1452|issn=2233-7857|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230160442/https://www.lovacky.eu/ws/media-library/8291b8bb61d0458d9bec753432dc4842/qualitativepaper.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== Business application == | == Business application == | ||
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* 1982: [[Minitel]] was introduced nationwide in France by [[Orange S.A.|France Télécom]] and used for online ordering. | * 1982: [[Minitel]] was introduced nationwide in France by [[Orange S.A.|France Télécom]] and used for online ordering. | ||
* 1983: [[California State Assembly]] holds first hearing on "electronic commerce" in Volcano, California.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 March 2013 |title=E Commerce |url=https://www.studymode.com/essays/e-Commerce-1554293.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805215334/https://www.studymode.com/essays/e-Commerce-1554293.html |archive-date=5 August 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[StudyMode]]}}</ref> Testifying are CPUC, MCI Mail, Prodigy, CompuServe, Volcano Telephone, and Pacific Telesis. (Not permitted to testify is Quantum Technology, later to become AOL.) California's Electronic Commerce Act was passed in 1984. | * 1983: [[California State Assembly]] holds first hearing on "electronic commerce" in Volcano, California.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 March 2013 |title=E Commerce |url=https://www.studymode.com/essays/e-Commerce-1554293.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805215334/https://www.studymode.com/essays/e-Commerce-1554293.html |archive-date=5 August 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[StudyMode]]}}</ref> Testifying are CPUC, MCI Mail, Prodigy, CompuServe, Volcano Telephone, and Pacific Telesis. (Not permitted to testify is Quantum Technology, later to become AOL.) California's Electronic Commerce Act was passed in 1984. | ||
* 1983: Karen Earle Lile (AKA Karen Bean) and [[Kendall Ross Bean]] create e-commerce service in [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. Buyers and sellers of pianos connect through a database created by Piano Finders on a [[Kaypro]] personal computer | * 1983: Karen Earle Lile (AKA Karen Bean) and [[Kendall Ross Bean]] create e-commerce service in [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. Buyers and sellers of pianos connect through a database created by Piano Finders on a [[Kaypro]] personal computer. Pianos for sale are listed on a [[Bulletin board system]]. Buyers print list of pianos for sale by a [[dot matrix printer]]. Customer service happened through a Piano Advice Hotline listed in the [[San Francisco Chronicle]] classified ads and money transferred by a bank [[wire transfer]] when a sale was completed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Piano Entrepreneurs |work=Newspaper |agency=Contra Costa Times |publisher=Contra Costa Newspapers |date=February 11, 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In Tune With The Times - Piano Business Thrives in Slump |work=Newspaper |agency=The Daily Review |publisher=Contra Costa Newspapers |date=June 26, 1986}}</ref> | ||
* 1984: [[Gateshead]] SIS/[[Tesco]] is first B2C online shopping system<ref>{{cite news |date=16 September 2013 |title=Online shopping: The pensioner who pioneered a home shopping revolution |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24091393 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717063557/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24091393 |archive-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> and Mrs Snowball, 72, is the first online home shopper<ref>{{cite web |last=Aldrich |first=Michael |date=March 2009 |title=Finding Mrs Snowball |url=http://www.aldricharchive.com/snowball.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207045137/http://www.aldricharchive.com/snowball.html |archive-date=7 December 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Michael Aldrich Archive]]}}</ref> | * 1984: [[Gateshead]] SIS/[[Tesco]] is first B2C online shopping system<ref>{{cite news |date=16 September 2013 |title=Online shopping: The pensioner who pioneered a home shopping revolution |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24091393 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717063557/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24091393 |archive-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> and Mrs Snowball, 72, is the first online home shopper<ref>{{cite web |last=Aldrich |first=Michael |date=March 2009 |title=Finding Mrs Snowball |url=http://www.aldricharchive.com/snowball.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207045137/http://www.aldricharchive.com/snowball.html |archive-date=7 December 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Michael Aldrich Archive]]}}</ref> | ||
* 1984: In April 1984, [[CompuServe]] launches the Electronic Mall in the US and Canada. It is the first comprehensive electronic commerce service.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 April 2010 |title=The Electronic Mall |url=http://www.gsbrown.org/compuserve/electronic-mall-1984-04/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326123900/http://gsbrown.org/compuserve/electronic-mall-1984-04/ |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=4 May 2021 |publisher=GS Brown}}</ref> | * 1984: In April 1984, [[CompuServe]] launches the Electronic Mall in the US and Canada. It is the first comprehensive electronic commerce service.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 April 2010 |title=The Electronic Mall |url=http://www.gsbrown.org/compuserve/electronic-mall-1984-04/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326123900/http://gsbrown.org/compuserve/electronic-mall-1984-04/ |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=4 May 2021 |publisher=GS Brown}}</ref> | ||
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* 2014: US e-commerce and online retail sales projected to reach $294 billion, an increase of 12 percent over 2013 and 9% of all retail sales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kodali |first=Sucharita |date=12 May 2014 |title=US eCommerce Forecast: 2013 to 2018 |url=https://www.forrester.com/report/US+eCommerce+Forecast+2013+To+2018/-/E-RES115513 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123105902/https://www.forrester.com/report/US+eCommerce+Forecast+2013+To+2018/-/E-RES115513 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Forrester Research]]}}</ref> [[Alibaba Group]] has the largest [[Initial public offering]] ever, worth $25 billion. | * 2014: US e-commerce and online retail sales projected to reach $294 billion, an increase of 12 percent over 2013 and 9% of all retail sales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kodali |first=Sucharita |date=12 May 2014 |title=US eCommerce Forecast: 2013 to 2018 |url=https://www.forrester.com/report/US+eCommerce+Forecast+2013+To+2018/-/E-RES115513 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123105902/https://www.forrester.com/report/US+eCommerce+Forecast+2013+To+2018/-/E-RES115513 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[Forrester Research]]}}</ref> [[Alibaba Group]] has the largest [[Initial public offering]] ever, worth $25 billion. | ||
* 2015: [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] accounts for more than half of all e-commerce growth,<ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Tonya |date=22 December 2015 |title=Amazon will account for more than half of 2015 e-commerce growth, says Macquarie |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-will-account-for-more-than-half-of-2015-e-commerce-growth-says-macquarie-2015-12-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128162404/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-will-account-for-more-than-half-of-2015-e-commerce-growth-says-macquarie-2015-12-22 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[MarketWatch]]}}</ref> selling almost 500 Million SKU's in the US. | * 2015: [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] accounts for more than half of all e-commerce growth,<ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Tonya |date=22 December 2015 |title=Amazon will account for more than half of 2015 e-commerce growth, says Macquarie |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-will-account-for-more-than-half-of-2015-e-commerce-growth-says-macquarie-2015-12-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128162404/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-will-account-for-more-than-half-of-2015-e-commerce-growth-says-macquarie-2015-12-22 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[MarketWatch]]}}</ref> selling almost 500 Million SKU's in the US. | ||
* 2016: The [[Government of India]] launches the [[BHIM|BHIM UPI]] digital payment interface. In the year 2020 it | * 2016: The [[Government of India]] launches the [[BHIM|BHIM UPI]] digital payment interface. In the year 2020 it had 2 billion digital payment transactions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPI crosses 2 billion transactions milestone in October, up 80% from year-ago; value nears Rs 4 lakh cr |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/banking-finance/upi-crosses-2-billion-transactions-milestone-in-october-up-80-from-year-ago-value-nears-rs-4-lakh-cr/2118690/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=Financialexpress |date=November 2020 |language=en |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926011703/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/banking-finance/upi-crosses-2-billion-transactions-milestone-in-october-up-80-from-year-ago-value-nears-rs-4-lakh-cr/2118690/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India: number of BHIM transactions 2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1055414/india-number-of-transactions-through-bhim/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324044607/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1055414/india-number-of-transactions-through-bhim/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
* 2017: Retail e-commerce sales across the world reaches $2.304 trillion, which was a 24.8 percent increase than previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mcnair |first=Corey |date=29 January 2018 |title=Worldwide Retail and Ecommerce Sales: eMarketer's Updated Forecast and New Mcommerce Estimates for 2016—2021 |url=https://www.emarketer.com/Report/Worldwide-Retail-Ecommerce-Sales-eMarketers-Updated-Forecast-New-Mcommerce-Estimates-20162021/2002182 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127152046/https://www.emarketer.com/Report/Worldwide-Retail-Ecommerce-Sales-eMarketers-Updated-Forecast-New-Mcommerce-Estimates-20162021/2002182 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[eMarketer]] |publisher=[[Insider Intelligence Inc.]]}}</ref> | * 2017: Retail e-commerce sales across the world reaches $2.304 trillion, which was a 24.8 percent increase than previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mcnair |first=Corey |date=29 January 2018 |title=Worldwide Retail and Ecommerce Sales: eMarketer's Updated Forecast and New Mcommerce Estimates for 2016—2021 |url=https://www.emarketer.com/Report/Worldwide-Retail-Ecommerce-Sales-eMarketers-Updated-Forecast-New-Mcommerce-Estimates-20162021/2002182 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127152046/https://www.emarketer.com/Report/Worldwide-Retail-Ecommerce-Sales-eMarketers-Updated-Forecast-New-Mcommerce-Estimates-20162021/2002182 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=[[eMarketer]] |publisher=[[Insider Intelligence Inc.]]}}</ref> | ||
* 2017: Global e-commerce transactions generate {{US$|29.267 trillion|long=no}}, including {{US$|25.516 trillion|long=no}} for business-to-business (B2B) transactions and {{US$|3.851 trillion|long=no}} for [[business-to-consumer]] (B2C) sales.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 March 2019 |title=Global e-Commerce sales surged to $29 trillion |publisher=[[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]] |type=Press Release |url=https://unctad.org/press-material/global-e-commerce-sales-surged-29-trillion |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502055911/https://unctad.org/press-material/global-e-commerce-sales-surged-29-trillion |archive-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> | * 2017: Global e-commerce transactions generate {{US$|29.267 trillion|long=no}}, including {{US$|25.516 trillion|long=no}} for business-to-business (B2B) transactions and {{US$|3.851 trillion|long=no}} for [[business-to-consumer]] (B2C) sales.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 March 2019 |title=Global e-Commerce sales surged to $29 trillion |publisher=[[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development]] |type=Press Release |url=https://unctad.org/press-material/global-e-commerce-sales-surged-29-trillion |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502055911/https://unctad.org/press-material/global-e-commerce-sales-surged-29-trillion |archive-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> | ||