6 eCommerce Merchandising Trends You Need to Know in 2024

From AI-driven personalization to interactive live streaming, use the innovative strategies below to boost engagement, drive sales, and stay ahead of the curve.

a woman with glasses sitting in front of a wall
By Arjel Vajvoda
a woman wearing a suit and a black shirt
Edited by Nelsy Mtsweni
Oli Kashti - Writer and Fact-Checker for Fast Simon
Fact-check by Oli Kashti

Published October 1, 2024.

A shopping cart on top of a laptop to show how merchandising trends impact online businesses

The eCommerce industry is highly competitive due to shifting merchandising trends driven by technology and consumer behavior. Adapting to these changes is essential for businesses to thrive and redefine customer expectations.

This shift is about creating immersive, personalized shopping experiences that resonate with consumers more deeply, a clear indicator of how merchandising strategies have changed over history. As we dive into the core of this year's most influential trends, it's clear that the future of eCommerce merchandising is not just about what you sell but how you sell it.

Meet the Expert

Arjel Vajvoda, Head of Product at Motomtech, leverages her extensive experience in customer support to craft user-focused SaaS products with innovative documentation solutions.

» Want to jump straight into inspiration? Check out some inspiring digital merchandising examples to emulate


Fast Simon infographic showing the six eCommerce merchandising trends you need to know in 2024


1. AI-Driven Personalization and Automation

Gone are the days of broad-spectrum marketing and generic displays. AI-driven personalization enables your business to tailor the following aspects based on each customer's unique profile:

  • Personalized product recommendations: Ensure customers see items they're most likely to be interested in.
  • Messaging: Craft communication that resonates personally with each recipient.
  • Special offers: Design deals that appeal directly to individual preferences.

» See our top product recommendation strategies

As the eCommerce competition intensifies, personalization technology is essential to differentiate yourself from the competition and build solid customer loyalty. To achieve this, leverage machine learning through eCommerce personalization software to sift through customer data like:

  • Purchase history
  • Browsing behavior
  • Customer feedback and reviews
  • Social media interaction
  • Demographic information
  • Device and channel preference

Example: Amazon's Recommendation Engine

Witness the power of AI-based personalization with Amazon's renowned recommendation engine. By leveraging customer data, Amazon makes personalized product suggestions that align seamlessly with individual preferences, significantly enhancing engagement and driving sales.

» Here are 5 elements you should personalize on your store

Screenshot of the Amazon store page showing their product recommendations



» Make sure you know the difference: B2B vs. B2C personalization techniques



2. Social Commerce Expansion

In 2024, social commerce has emerged as a defining trend, transforming platforms like Instagram and TikTok into direct sales channels. With a staggering 47% of social media users open to purchasing directly through these platforms, the opportunity for businesses like yours is immense.

Leading brands are successfully setting up storefronts on Instagram, allowing their followers to seamlessly shop their products without leaving the app.

This shift illustrates social media's transition from a mere promotional tool to an active sales channel, enhancing customer engagement and driving sales growth for brands targeting tech-savvy consumers.

» Don't forget to make your website user friendly for mobile users

When you embrace social commerce, you can tap into a plethora of audiences actively engaging with your brand. This makes it convenient for your customers to discover, explore, and purchase your products within the social media platforms they frequent daily. This improves customer experience and can boost sales and brand loyalty.

» Have an app? Here's how to add search functionality to it



3. Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping

AR in eCommerce enhances customers' exploration and visualization of products. With AR technology, your customers can see how products look in their environment through their digital devices. This offers an interactive and immersive shopping experience that surpasses traditional static images.

This trend is gaining traction due to advancements in mobile technology—including enhanced cameras and processors—and the widespread availability of smartphones with AR capabilities.

AR technology is particularly beneficial in sectors like fashion, home decor, and beauty, where visual appearance and fit are crucial in purchasing decisions.

Integrating AR into your eCommerce platform can provide your customers with a more interactive and engaging shopping journey, ultimately driving sales and fostering loyalty in the following ways:

  • Reduce uncertainty: Enabling customers to visualize products in real-world scenarios can make customers more certain of their purchases beforehand, reducing abandoned carts and product returns.
  • Engagement and immersion: Engaging shopping experiences can captivate customers' attention for longer and encourage them to explore more products.
  • Stand out in a competitive market: Offering a unique shopping experience attracts new customers and also retains existing ones.
  • Gain valuable insights: AR interactions can help you better understand customer preferences and behavior, enabling more targeted marketing and product development.
  • Reduce the need for physical samples: AR technology allows potential customers to review products digitally, reducing the need for showrooms and lowering overhead costs.

Example: Ikea's Place App

IKEA's Place app is a prime example of how AR can transform the shopping experience. By allowing customers to visualize furniture in their homes before purchasing, the app has significantly improved customer satisfaction, boosted conversion rates, and reduced return rates.

Standard living room with augmented reality chair using the Ikea Place app


» Discover the differences between product search and product discovery



4. Sustainable and Ethical Practices

Sustainable and ethical practices are becoming increasingly important as consumers demand transparency and responsible sourcing, minimizing the environmental footprints of the brands they support. This approach focuses on eco-friendly and socially responsible decisions across the supply chain, from sourcing to packaging, contrasting with traditional cost and convenience priorities.

While the value of sustainability varies across sectors, industries like fashion and home goods can benefit more immediately due to their significant environmental impacts.

As conscious consumerism continues to gain momentum, prioritizing sustainability can resonate deeply with your customer base. By adopting sustainable practices, your eCommerce business can:

  • Enhance customer loyalty
  • Reduce operational costs
  • Offer a competitive edge through brand differentiation

Example: GANNI's Fit Finder

Through its Fit Finder size advisor tool, the fashion brand GANNI showcases the dual benefits of sustainability and customer satisfaction. It helps customers find their perfect size by analyzing their body measurements and previous purchase history, offering personalized size recommendations. By reducing returns and optimizing inventory management, GANNI has increased conversion rates and decreased its environmental footprint, demonstrating the synergy between sustainability and business success.

Screenshot of the GANNI website showing a particular white t-shirt available

Screenshot of the GANNI website showing their Fit Finder tool



5. Localized and Fast Delivery Options

Localized and fast delivery options are reshaping the logistics field by utilizing distribution centers and advanced strategies so that businesses can:

  • Cut shipping times and costs
  • Boost sustainability
  • Improve operational efficiency
  • Enhance customer satisfaction with speedy deliveries

This approach aims to meet the increasing consumer demand for fast delivery, driven by expectations set by industry giants like Amazon. Technological advancements in logistics software and the growth of eCommerce have further facilitated this shift, making it easier for businesses to manage local deliveries and tackle last-mile delivery challenges.

This benefits both your bottom line and customer loyalty. Stay ahead of the curve by offering your customers the convenience and speed they desire, and set new industry standards.

Example: Getir's Dark Store Model

Getir, an Istanbul-based startup, has improved the grocery delivery industry with its innovative "dark store" model that facilitated their rapid international expansion and impressive $12 billion valuation. By strategically placing mini warehouses near customers, Getir offers ultra-fast grocery delivery within 10 minutes. This groundbreaking approach has proven effective and scalable, as evidenced by Getir's rapid international expansion and impressive $12 billion valuation.

Screenshot of the Getir homepage showing their guarantee for fast deliveries



6. Voice Commerce

Voice commerce is rapidly gaining traction alongside site search best practices, offering a hands-free and conversational shopping experience through voice recognition technology. As voice assistants like Alexa and Siri become increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, the convenience of voice-based shopping is appealing to consumers seeking multitasking and accessibility features.

While beneficial across various sectors, voice commerce is particularly advantageous for frequent, simple purchases like groceries, offering increased accessibility, convenience, and an enhanced customer experience. However, for sectors requiring detailed examination, traditional eCommerce may still be the preferred choice.

Implementing voice commerce in your eCommerce strategy can set you apart from competitors by providing your customers with a seamless, hands-free shopping experience that caters to their evolving needs and preferences.

» Here's how voice search is changing SEO

Example: Amazon's Voice Commerce Integration with Alexa

Amazon's integration of voice commerce with Alexa is a prime example of how this trend can simplify and enhance the shopping experience. Amazon has demonstrated the potential of voice commerce to boost convenience, engagement, and sales. It has done this by enabling users to reorder, track shipments, and get recommendations through voice commands,



The Guiding Principle: Customer-Centric Innovation

In the eCommerce industry, always prioritize customer-centric strategies and personalization to build lasting relationships and loyalty. Keep updated on technological advancements and integrate them into your business to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.

In addition, maintaining flexibility and agility in business practices enables swift adaptation to market changes and consumer trends. This ensures sustained growth and relevance in a rapidly evolving market.