Bangladesh E-Commerce Trends in 2025 - DHL Express BD

The e-commerce industry in Bangladesh is booming, with online shopping becoming increasingly popular and convenient. This rapid growth is fueled by increasing Internet and smartphone use, a young and tech-savvy population, and rising disposable incomes. As the market expands, businesses must stay ahead of the curve and understand the key trends shaping the e-commerce landscape in country in 2025.

This blog post will explore these trends, including the leading product categories, seasonal shopping patterns, and more. By understanding these, businesses can adapt their strategies and optimize their operations to capture the vast opportunities in Bangladesh's dynamic e-commerce market.

What is E-Commerce?

But first, let's quickly define what is meant by "e-commerce." E-commerce, or electronic commerce, encompasses all forms of online trading, from buying clothes to booking flights. This blog post will focus on the current trends shaping business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce in Bangladesh, where businesses connect with consumers online.

Trend #1: Bangladesh e-commerce: A booming market with leading sectors

To understand the e-commerce landscape in Bangladesh, it's essential to look at the market overview and analyze the key sectors driving its growth.

Dominant product categories

According to data from E-Commerce DB (ECBD)¹, several product categories dominate the market:

• Electronics: Leading the market with 23.9% of revenue, this sector highlights a strong demand for electronic products such as smartphones, laptops, and home appliances.
• Hobby & Leisure: This sector encompasses a wide range of products related to hobbies, entertainment, and leisure activities, holding a significant 20.4% share.
• Fashion: Clothing, footwear, and accessories fall under this category, which commands an 18.9% share of the market, making it a major player.
• Furniture & Homeware: This sector accounts for 12.1% of the market, reflecting the growing demand for online furniture and home décor products.
• Care Products: Personal care and beauty products make up this sector, holding a 9.0% share.

Additionally, emerging opportunities are evident in the DIY (7.5%) sector, suggesting potential for growth in these areas. Understanding these categories can help businesses identify opportunities and tailor their strategies to meet consumer demand in Bangladesh's dynamic e-commerce landscape.

Revenue growth and future projections

The e-commerce market in Bangladesh is not only diverse but also poised for substantial growth. In fact, it's showing a remarkable 30.1% increase in 2025 alone, contributing significantly to the worldwide growth rate of 9.8%. Looking ahead, projections from ECBD¹ indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 17.7%, leading to a projected market volume of US$15,407.3 million by 2029. This positive outlook highlights the significant potential for e-commerce businesses in Bangladesh in the future.

#Trend 2: E-Commerce adoption on the rise

The growth of e-commerce in Bangladesh is not just about revenue; it's also about the increasing number of consumers embracing online shopping. Statistica² reveals a promising trend of rising consumer adoption:

• User Growth: Between 2024 and 2029, the number of e-commerce users in Bangladesh is projected to increase by a remarkable 5.2 million.
• Market Penetration: By 2029, an estimated 15.92 million users will be shopping online, marking a substantial 48.28% growth.
• Revenue per User: The Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is expected to be $631.60.

This increasing consumer adoption underscores the growing popularity of e-commerce in Bangladesh.

Trend #3: The growth of digital and flexible payment options

As the e-commerce market in Bangladesh matures, so do the payment preferences.

• Cash-on-Delivery (COD): The International Trade Administration³ found that COD continues to be the dominant payment method in Bangladesh, with over 90% of e-commerce users preferring this option. This preference stems from a desire to ensure product quality and avoid potential online payment risks.
• Credit Cards: Credit card transactions are also gaining traction, supported by merchant accounts on various e-commerce platforms. This provides a convenient and secure payment option for consumers who prefer cashless transactions.
• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): BNPL is a rising trend in Bangladesh, offering consumers the flexibility to purchase products and pay in installments. Globe Newswire⁴ reports that BNPL payments are projected to grow by 17.1% annually, reaching $1.02 billion in 2024

Trend #4: Festive shopping in Bangladesh: Cash-on-delivery still reigns

Festive seasons in Bangladesh drive a surge in online shopping, with consumers eagerly taking advantage of deals and promotions. However, a key trend persists: the strong preference for cash-on-delivery (COD) payment. This highlights a unique characteristic of the Bangladeshi market, where trust and security remain paramount in online transactions. 

Impact of Muslim holidays

According to the International Trade Administration³ , major holidays like Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr, and Eid ul-Adha bring a significant surge in online spending in Bangladesh. E-commerce businesses often capitalize on this trend by launching seasonal promotions, special offers, and targeted campaigns that tap into the festive spirit and drive consumer interest. This highlights the importance of understanding cultural and religious events and their impact on consumer behavior.

Trust in delivery models

Cash-on-delivery remains a popular payment option in Bangladesh due to concerns about product quality and online payment security, emphasising the importance of transparent return and refund policies. This helps assure customers, strengthening their confidence in online shopping and the reliability of the e-commerce platform.

Trend #5: Increased prominence of the global mobile app market

Mobile apps are playing an increasingly crucial role in driving Bangladesh's e-commerce growth. The convenience and accessibility they offer have transformed the way consumers shop, making it essential for businesses to adapt and leverage this trend.

The global mobile app market is booming, valued at $228.98 billion in 2023, according to The Daily Star⁵. This growth is particularly prominent in the Asia-Pacific region, with Bangladesh leading the charge in app revenue. This surge is fueled by increasing smartphone penetration and a growing preference for mobile-first experiences.

This trend is reflected in the success of various mobile apps in Bangladesh, including a leading electronics app with 1.1 million active users and 55% of orders placed through the app. Additionally, the rise of popular book-selling and grocery delivery apps demonstrates the expanding reach of mobile commerce into diverse sectors, highlighting its growing popularity for everyday needs.

Opportunities for e-commerce businesses

The trends discussed above present numerous opportunities for e-commerce businesses in Bangladesh to thrive and expand their reach. Here are some key areas where businesses can capitalize on these trends:

Leveraging key product categories

• Focus on high-demand sectors: As highlighted earlier, electronics, fashion, and groceries are among the leading product categories in Bangladesh. E-commerce businesses should focus on these sectors to cater to existing demand and maximize sales potential.
• Introduce sustainable products: With growing awareness of environmental issues, there is also a rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products. Sustainability initiatives can attract a new segment of conscious consumers and enhance brand image.

Understanding the dominant and emerging product categories allows businesses to tailor their offerings and marketing strategies to effectively target specific consumer needs and preferences, driving growth and customer loyalty.

Adapting to payment preferences

To cater to the latest trends in payment preferences of Bangladeshi consumers, e-commerce businesses need to offer a variety of flexible options:

• Integrate diverse payment methods: This includes providing secure credit card processing, integrating popular mobile wallets, and exploring partnerships with BNPL providers to offer greater flexibility and convenience.
• Enhance cash-on-delivery operations: While promoting alternative payment methods, it's crucial to maintain and enhance cash-on-delivery operations to cater to the significant segment of consumers who prefer this option. This can include optimizing delivery processes, ensuring secure cash handling, and providing real-time tracking to enhance trust and transparency.

Ultimately, offering a diverse range of payment options and optimizing existing processes allows businesses to cater to a wider audience, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive sales growth.

Capturing mobile commerce (m-commerce) growth

With the increasing penetration of smartphones and the growing popularity of mobile shopping, businesses need to prioritize mobile commerce (m-commerce) to capture this growing market segment.By investing in mobile-first strategies, businesses can unlock significant e-commerce business opportunities and enhance customer engagement:

• Invest in user-friendly mobile apps: Building intuitive and feature-rich mobile apps can provide a convenient shopping experience for customers, thereby promoting spending. This includes optimizing the app for easy navigation, secure transactions, and personalized recommendations.
• Optimize for seamless transactions: Ensure that the app supports various payment options, provides real-time order tracking, and offers customer support to enhance the overall shopping experience.

By investing in mobile-first strategies, businesses can tap into the growing m-commerce market and provide a convenient and engaging shopping experience for their customers.

Shipping with DHL Express to drive e-commerce growth in 2025

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, having a reliable logistics partner is key. DHL Express is here to help businesses navigate the unique challenges and exciting opportunities of this market. With our deep understanding of local regulations, customs procedures, and delivery networks, we ensure smooth and efficient shipping, getting your products where they need to be, when they need to be there. 

Plus, our comprehensive range of e-commerce solutions includes everything from express courier services to secure cash-on-delivery, all designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and consumers in Bangladesh. By partnering with DHL Express, you can optimize your logistics, keep your customers happy, and drive e-commerce growth in 2025 and beyond.

Unlock your e-commerce potential in Bangladesh with DHL Express

Understanding the key e-commerce trends is crucial for businesses in Bangladesh to strategize effectively and achieve sustainable growth. By staying informed about evolving consumer behaviors, payment preferences, and market opportunities, businesses can adapt their operations and capture the immense potential of this dynamic market.

Ready to take your e-commerce business to the next level in Bangladesh? Open a DHL Express business account today and take advantage of our international logistics solutions, expert support, and reliable delivery network. Together, let's navigate the exciting future of e-commerce in Bangladesh and unlock your business's full potential.