Turn FedEx insights into growth opportunities
Turn FedEx insights into growth opportunities
Power your ecommerce strategy with FedEx thought leadership
From shopping habits to social media use, gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior. And find
key takeaways to help you attract the right audience, use AI to increase sales, and more.
From shopping habits to social media use, gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior. And find key takeaways to help you attract the right audience, use AI to increase sales, and more.
Peak season will be here
before you know it
Peak season will be here before you know it
And so will customers, ready to spend
money on holiday gifts. Get ready for the
busiest time of the year.
And so will customers, ready to spend money on holiday gifts. Get ready for the busiest time of the year.
Unlock 2024 growth
opportunities
Unlock 2024 growth opportunities
Read our free thought leadership report to
see ecommerce trends and get actionable
tips you can use throughout the year.
Read our free thought leadership report to see ecommerce trends and get actionable tips you can use throughout the year.
A snapshot of 2023 holiday shopping
+4.9%
increase in U.S. online sales during
the 2023 holiday shopping season,
compared to 20221
increase in U.S. online sales during the 2023 holiday shopping season, compared to 20221
95%
of consumers planned on
shopping, compared to 88%
two years ago2
of consumers planned on shopping, compared to 88% two years ago2
Cyber Week was a big hit
A record $13B in sales3
+7.9%
in sales compared
to 20224
in sales compared to 20224
+8.4%
in Cyber Monday sales
compared to 20223
in Cyber Monday sales compared to 20223
Despite their enthusiasm in 2023, customers are feeling the economic pinch
- +75% of adults think their financial situation is “tight,” “struggling,” or “in trouble”5
- Tip: See the 2023 report for ways to use comfort-focused messaging to reach stressed consumers
You’ve got big ecommerce competition
Temu and Shein are spending a lot on advertising, and it’s impacting the cost for you.
Temu spent $1.7B on advertising in 20236 (expected to grow to $3B in 20246). Shein outspent Target,
accounting for 11% across the retail cohort7.
Temu spent $1.7B on advertising in 20236 (expected to grow to $3B in 20246). Shein outspent Target, accounting for 11% across the retail cohort7.
Read the report to find out how you can compete and win.
Understanding generative AI is essential
In 2023:
17%
of all holiday orders ($199B in
sales) were influenced by AI8
of all holiday orders ($199B in sales) were influenced by AI8
74%
of consumers say it improves
their shopping experience9
of consumers say it improves their shopping experience9
76%
of small business owners
say it frees up time to focus
on high-value tasks10
of small business owners say it frees up time to focus on high-value tasks10
Tip: Start by looking for built-in AI solutions on platforms you already use. Check out the ecommerce report for more expert advice on embracing AI.
Why you should offer Buy Now, Pay Later
+43%
in BNPL during Cyber Week,
compared to 202211
in BNPL during Cyber Week, compared to 202211
+48%
spent on Black Friday by
shoppers who used BNPL11
spent on Black Friday by shoppers who used BNPL11
+800%
in Buy Now, Pay Later usage
and adoption since 2019, plus
+25% projected in 202412
in Buy Now, Pay Later usage and adoption since 2019, plus +25% projected in 202412
Customers expect the convenience of digital payments
74% of merchants think customers abandon carts if they have to manually enter credit card info.13
Tip: Your competition offers multiple payment options—do you? Download the report to see more stats,
plus five reasons to take advantage of Buy Now, Pay Later.
74% of merchants think customers abandon carts if they have to manually enter credit card info.13 Tip: Your competition offers multiple payment options—do you? Download the report to see more stats, plus five reasons to take advantage of Buy Now, Pay Later
74% of merchants think customers abandon carts if they have to manually enter credit card info.13
Tip: Your competition offers multiple payment options—do you? Download the report to see more stats, plus five reasons to take advantage of Buy Now, Pay Later
Generations Z and Alpha are transforming retail
How can you use these 2023 findings to your advantage? Get the 2024 report to find out.
Gen Z loves to buy on TikTok
- 22% of 18-to-24-year-olds made purchases in the lead-up to the holiday season14
- 5M new customers bought on TikTok Shop15
Generation Alpha are the real influencers
They’re the kids born between 2013–2025.
- 98% of parents bought items from their child’s wish list or shared link16
- Over 80% decided what to buy with their parents16
- 51% first heard about a brand on YouTube17
Social commerce has plenty of potential
42%
of all internet users will be
social buyers in 202418
of all internet users will be social buyers in 202418
$8.5T
in projected social commerce
sales by 203019
in projected social commerce sales by 203019
+40%
in conversions for businesses
using social commerce,
compared to traditional
ecommerce brands20
in conversions for businesses using social commerce, compared to traditional ecommerce brands20
You could easily convert customers with social commerce. Read the report to learn how.
Rethink your shipping and returns strategies
Thresholds for free shipping are increasing
$64
was the average minimum in
2023, compared to $52 in 202221
was the average minimum in 2023, compared to $52 in 202221
Returns are at an all-time
high
Returns are at an all-time high
+79%
in retail returns from 2019 to
202322
in retail returns from 2019 to 202322
See the report to find out which shipping and returns trends will influence consumer behavior this year.
Ship during the holidays with confidence
FedEx had a 98.3% on-time delivery rate during the 2023 holiday season.23 Rely on us
for fast and affordable shipping.
FedEx had a 98.3% on-time delivery rate during the 2023 holiday season.23 Rely on us for fast and affordable shipping.
Ready to dive into the data?
Strategize for ecommerce success
Give your online business a boost, whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow. Find
trends, reports, and customer insights to inform your strategy. And access tools to help you
work more efficiently.
Give your online business a boost, whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow. Find trends, reports, and customer insights to inform your strategy. And access tools to help you work more efficiently.
Check out last year’s thought leadership reports
Go beyond data to grow even further
Start saving on shipping today
Open a free FedEx business account to save on select shipping and surcharges. You'll also be enrolled in FedEx Rewards—earn gift cards from top retailers!
Manage up to 20,000 packages
Keep tabs on all your shipments and run reports in your advanced tracking dashboard. View images and documents, plus estimated delivery windows so you can communicate with customers.
Take your business to the next level
Our Small Business Center is packed with resources for entrepreneurs like you. Find tips from experts and peers and monthly resources. And get tools to help you improve your customer experience.
Build loyalty with easy returns
Offer your customers options for frictionless returns. Like sending them QR codes they can bring to convenient retail locations for no-box, no-label returns. Plus, find tips to keep them coming back.
Get small business support
Discuss everything from discounts to integrating shipping into your system.
More to explore in ecommerce
Ecommerce home | Getting started | Shipping | Fulfillment | Integration | International | Resources
Other delivery options | Holiday shipping trends
1“Holiday online sales grow domestically, globally in 2023,” Digital Commerce 360, January 2024
2“2023 Holiday Retail Survey,” Deloitte, 2023
3“US Cyber Five Retail Ecommerce Holiday Season Sales, by Shopping Day, 2023,” Insider Intelligence, eMarketer, June 2023
4FedEx EC Center of Excellence
5“Returns Happen 2023,” Happy Returns, October 2023
6“The Spend, Spend, Spend Strategy Behind Temu's Rapid Ascent in America,” Wall Street Journal, February 2024
7“Understanding Shein's Ad Strategy,” Sensortower, November 2023
8“ECommerce Trends: Only 3% of Organizations Don't Have AI Plans,” Salesforce, Jan 2024
9“E-commerce Trends Report,” C Space, February 2024
10“Small Business AI Adoption Survey,” Technometrica, October 2023
11“BNPL played $940 million role in Cyber Monday success,” Insider Intelligence, eMarketer, November 2023
12“Global transaction value of buy now, pay later (BNPL) in e-commerce from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts from 2022 to 2026,” Statista, Updated May 2023
13“Optimizing the E-Commerce Payment Experience,” Digital Retail Commerce 360, September 2023
14“While TikTok Shop delivers strong early results, questions remain,” Insider Intelligence, eMarketer, December 2023
15“The Top Holiday Shopping Trends of 2023,” Jungle Scout, January 2024
16“SuperAwesome's Holiday Guide to Reaching Gen Alpha and Gen Z,” SuperAwesome, 2023
17“Tips to help retailers reach Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and beyond this holiday season,” Insider Intelligence, November 2023
18“Guide to social commerce and the evolving path to purchase,” Insider Intelligence, January 2024
19“Value of social commerce sales worldwide from 2022 to 2030,” Statista, November 2023
20“TikTok Shop expected to lose over $500 million in the US this year,” Insider Intelligence, eMarketer, August 2023
21“Retailers Set Higher Bars for Free Shipping as Delivery Costs Surge,” Wall Street Journal, Forrester, July 2023
22“Merchandise returned as a percentage of total retail sales in the United States from 2012 to 2023,” Statista, December 2023
23“Shipping carriers record highest on-time figures in years over 2023 holidays,” Digital Commerce 360, February 2024
Get the all-new 2023 peak season report and the 2024 ecommerce trends report
Ecommerce has become a vital part of today’s business market as consumers continue to seek easy, convenient ways to shop. Use our all-new 2023 peak season and 2024 consumer trends research reports to help you plan ahead—and get ahead—with a smart ecommerce strategy.
Target the right audience
Optimize your products
Improve the customer experience
Increase profitability
Be more sustainable
Want to download the reports now?
Get advice from an ecommerce specialist
Consumer data is valuable, but nothing beats a human connection. FedEx customers can request a free consultation with an ecommerce specialist. Discuss topics like digital industry trends, website enhancement, and optimization strategies to help increase traffic and sales.
Let’s start with the 2022 peak season
Take a look back to get ahead in 2023. Here are some key results from our 2022 Peak Season Report.
$35B
in online sales1
+4% from 2021
+2.7% from 2020's record-
breaking year
$11.3B
Cyber Monday was the
biggest shopping day
of 20222
36% of shoppers made a purchase from a social
platform (+8% YOY).3 Top social platforms for
shoppers were Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.4
36% of shoppers made a purchase from a social platform (+8% YOY).3 Top social platforms for shoppers were Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.4
Holiday shoppers had priorities
Watching their wallets
55%
said deals and discounts were very important5
43%
would switch retailers if an item wasn’t on sale6
85%
growth in “Buy Now, Pay Later” orders over Cyber Week7
50%
of millennials and Gen Z
shoppers bought earlier8
of millennials and Gen Z shoppers bought earlier8
Getting started early
Why was sooner than normal better?
- 60% wanted to spread out their spending (up 6% from 2021)9
- 55% were worried about items going out of stock10
- 60% were concerned about shipping delays11
Having convenient shipping solutions
Transparent, reliable, and affordable shipping options were a major factor in purchasing decisions.12
55%
said proof of delivery was the most important factor
when selecting a delivery method.13
said proof of delivery was the most important factor when selecting a delivery method.13
Being able to easily return items
• 1.4B or 13% of orders purchased this holiday season were returned (63%+ YOY)14
• 60% of retailers are changing their return policies because of rising costs and volumes.15 Are you? Check out our return shipping insights for businesses to help strategize for success.
- 1.4B or 13% of orders purchased this holiday season were returned (63%+ YOY)14
- 60% of retailers are changing their return policies because of rising costs and volumes.15 Are you? Check out our return shipping insights for businesses to help strategize for success.
Peak season is coming sooner than you think
Shoppers are already planning for the 2023 peak season. You should be, too. Get ready to hit the ground running by downloading the full 2022 peak season report.
Stay up to date on 2023 ecommerce trends
Being proactive helps you attract and convert the right customers and grow loyalty. Here’s what we’ve seen so far this year.
Consumers are making more intentional decisions
75%
changed their shopping
habits in 2022 because
of inflation16
changed their shopping habits in 2022 because of inflation16
62%
strongly or somewhat agree
that they've been making fewer
impulse purchases17
strongly or somewhat agree that they've been making fewer impulse purchases17
2023 shoppers are focused on fun, family, experiences, and wellness.18
People are shopping globally
41%
say it's because of
lower prices19
say it's because of lower prices19
38%
are finding items that aren't
available locally19
are finding items that aren't available locally19
35%
are discovering new and
interesting products19
are discovering new and interesting products19
Sustainability is a big part of the equation
82%
want brands to embrace sustainable practices20
want brands to embrace sustainable practices20
75%
of Gen Z shoppers say sustainability practices are more important than
brand names21
of Gen Z shoppers say sustainability practices are more important than brand names21
Want to become a more sustainable business? Offer your customers reusable FedEx® packaging options. Order free envelopes and paks that are reusable and recyclable. Customers can even return items in the same packaging.
Social shopping is here to stay
38%
buy through social platforms
monthly (largely millennials
and Gen Z shoppers)22
buy through social platforms monthly (largely millennials and Gen Z shoppers)22
$107B
amount U.S. social commerce
sales are predicted to reach
by 202523
amount U.S. social commerce sales are predicted to reach by 202523
Customers expect convenience
25%
have abandoned a purchase because their preferred payment method wasn’t available24
have abandoned a purchase because their preferred payment method wasn’t available24
79%
expect businesses to provide self-support tools to help them find answers25
expect businesses to provide self-support tools to help them find answers25
Fast and reliable delivery is the #1 factor when shopping online26
56%
abandon carts due to delivery-related concerns27
abandon carts due to delivery-related concerns27
76%
said an unacceptable delivery experience would strongly or somewhat affect their decision to order from the company again28
said an unacceptable delivery experience would strongly or somewhat affect their decision to order from the company again28
Offer customers more control over deliveries
FedEx Delivery Manager® gives customers peace of mind in several ways. They can receive
alerts and notifications, including picture proof of delivery. They can request to redirect a
package to a retail location and place vacation holds. Use our free marketing materials to let
them know about all the benefits.
FedEx Delivery Manager® gives customers peace of mind in several ways. They can receive alerts and notifications, including picture proof of delivery. They can request to redirect a package to a retail location and place vacation holds. Use our free marketing materials to let them know about all the benefits.
Simple returns are a must
98%
say that fast and convenient
returns will make them more
likely to order again29
say that fast and convenient returns will make them more likely to order again29
56%
are willing to pay for
hassle-free returns29
are willing to pay for hassle-free returns29
Easy returns are the norm when you ship with FedEx. Find returns options for your business, including ways to create shipping labels and send QR codes to customers.
Dive deeper into the data before peak
Use our 2023 insights to help position your ecommerce business for profitability.
Download the full 2023 ecommerce trends report for free.
Use our 2023 insights to help position your ecommerce business for profitability. Download the full 2023 ecommerce trends report for free.
Want to view last year's reports? See 2021 and 2022 stats and trends.
Explore our business resources
Start saving on shipping today
Open a free FedEx account to save on select shipping and surcharges. You can also get free FedEx Express® shipping supplies.
Manage up to 20,000 packages in one place
Keep tabs on all your shipments and run reports in your advanced tracking dashboard. View estimated delivery windows to keep customers informed.
Take your small business to the next level
Visit our updated Small Business Center to get tips from experts and peers. Find shipping tools to improve your customer experience.
Request a free ecommerce consultation
If you're a FedEx customer, you can get advice from an ecommerce specialist. From digital industry trends to online best practices, get guidance to help boost traffic and sales.
Develop your shipping strategy
There’s a lot to consider when you’re shipping for your business. This comprehensive guide can help save you time and money and enhance your customer experience. Find resources on shipping services, packing your products, and drop off and pickup options. Learn how to support your customers with deliveries and returns.
Make shipping more rewarding
If you’re a business shipper, you can earn rewards for shipping with FedEx Rewards. You’ll get monthly offers that enable you to earn gift cards from popular retailers. And you can request a refund or credit if an eligible shipment is late.*
*For details, a complete listing of eligible products and services for rewards, and information on requesting refunds and credits, please read FedEx Rewards Terms and Conditions and the Program Agreement.
More to explore in ecommerce
Ecommerce home | Getting started | Shipping | Fulfillment | Integration | International | Resources
Other delivery options | Holiday shipping trends
1 “Record 196.7 Million Consumers Shop Over Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend,” National Retail Federation, November 29, 2022
2 “Strategy Insights: The 2022 Cyber 5 Report,” Digital Commerce 360, December 2022
3 “Main social commerce activities during holiday shopping in the United States from 2020 to 2022,” Statista, November 18, 2022
4 “Social commerce to surpass 100 million US buyers,” Insider Intelligence, October 5, 2022
5 C Space x FedEx Post-Peak 2022 Survey
6 “US holiday shopping 2022: ’Tis the season to be (cautiously) optimistic,” McKinsey & Company, October 21, 2022
7 “Buy now, pay later sees holiday spike,” Insider Intelligence, December 5, 2022
8 See note 5 above.
9 “Holiday 2022 by the Numbers,” National Retail Federation, December 2022
10 See note 5 above.
11 See note 5 above.
12 “Holiday spending statistics:2022 Holiday Outlook,” PwC, 2022
13 See note 12 above.
14 “Online holiday shopping hit new record, Adobe says,” Digital Commerce 360, January 5, 2023
15 “Don’t bank on free returns: 60% of retailers roll out stricter policies,” CNBC, November 25, 2022
16 The Great Uncertainty: US consumer confidence and behavior during inflationary times,” McKinsey, August 16, 2022
17 C Space x FedEx 2023 Ecommerce Trends Survey
18 “Consumer Trends Report: Q4 2022,” JungleScout, November 2022 and “What’s really driving retail purchasing today: Accenture Consumer Pulse Survey 2022,” Accenture, May 2022
19 “2022 Borderless Commerce Report,” PayPal, February 2022
20 “Social media trends report for 2023: How to disrupt a disruptive customer,” Talkwalker and Khoros, October 2022
21 “The state of consumer spending: Gen Z influencing all generations to make sustainability-first purchasing decisions,” First Insight, Wharton School of Business, Baker Retailing Center, November 21, 2021
22 “12 Important shopping trends for 2023,” Exploding Topics, December 5, 2022
23 “What’s behind the social commerce surge in 5 charts,” Insider Intelligence, November 30, 2022
24 “The State of Shipping Report, 2022: Why faster shipping matters,” X-Delivery|Retail Management Institute of Santa Clara University, July 25, 2022
25 “15 Customer Self-Service and Experience Stats To Know,” Vanilla, September 1, 2020
26 See note 22 above.
27 See note 24 above.
28 “Visibility and control are consumers’ priorities for last-mile delivery, with 96% indicating a desire for GPS delivery tracking,” Yahoo, March 16, 2022
29 “New Report Reveals Consumers Embracing Return Fees In Exchange for Convenient, Premium Offerings,” Yahoo, January 10, 2023