5 of the Most Popular Items Purchased Online in 2018
Today, you can purchase (almost) anything online. And with more than 15.4 billion Internet-connected devices in use (that number will grow to 30.7 billion by 2020), many brick and mortar stores are struggling to keep up.
Increasingly, consumers are making purchases on their smartphones. Today, mobile commerce makes up 30% of all U.S. e-commerce.
Of course, certain items are more popular among online shoppers than others. Consumers are more likely to purchase a package of razors online than a forklift. So what are people buying online this year? Here are five of the most popular items purchased online so far this year.
Phone Accessories
Nearly everyone has a smartphone, so it makes sense that accessories for them are popular online items. Cell phone owners are buying cases, grips, screen protectors, chargers, earphones, and more. According to one estimate, the phone accessory industry will soon reach $107.3 billion.
Shapewear
Shapewear is classified as an undergarment that smoothes out your body for what most people consider a more desirable look. Spanx is probably the most popular and well-known brand of shapewear, but many other clothing companies are releasing their own lines of shaping garments. In fact, fashion retailers are stocking their online stores with bodysuits to help their consumers create slimming, selfie-ready silhouettes. Consumers are even wearing these pieces as regular tops (not under any clothing items). By 2022, the shapewear market is expected to reach $5.6 billion in sales.
Home Trends and Decor
Home trends and decor are also booming on the internet this year. With 1,000s of home furniture companies to choose from, online shoppers are buying a lot of it. Consumers love things with botanical prints and floral patterns, statement floors, wood accents, and matte metal hardware. People are even making large and bold purchases online. For example, instead of taking a trip to the hardware store, consumers are purchasing new washing machines, and even windows, online. The average window replacement costs between $300 and $700 per window, and many people are now willing to make that kind of purchase online.
Clothes
As retailers adopt return-friendly shipping policies, more and more people are buying their clothes and shoes online, too. Once upon a time, you wouldn’t dare buy a new pair of jeans without trying them on first. Not anymore. Many large retailers even post photos of different sized models on the site so you can see what your size looks like on a model (and not just a size 0). With free shipping and returns, returning a piece of clothing is often easier when you shop online.
Flame Lamps
A list of internet-approved online shopping items wouldn’t be complete without something weird. This interesting trend has not been popular in brick-and-mortar stores, but it is taking off online. Flame lamps got their popularity thanks to impulse buys. Consumers scroll through their social media feeds, see this product, and purchase it. These lamps glow yellow and orange and look a lot like a real flame.
Total e-commerce revenue in the United States is roughly $423.3 billion, and it’s steadily climbing. All over the country, shipping companies are delivering thousands of cat-themed phone cases and tight corsets. Next year, they might be shipping hologram machines and flying cars.
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