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Reports

Beyond The Basket

Discover what’s really influencing the buying decisions of social, sustainable and cross-border shoppers across the globe. 

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Read the 2024 Beyond The Basket Report

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To help your business understand what consumers want from online retailers in 2024, we’ve explored how different types of shoppers browse and buy online, and what matters most to them.

In this report, we reveal the buying habits of social, sustainable, and cross-border shoppers. We uncover what’s really influencing their buying decisions, so your business can better meet their expectations and increase your sales. For retailers that want to stay relevant in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, understanding what these shoppers want is vital.


Meet the faces of today’s online shoppers

Social media shopping is on the rise. Sustainability is becoming more important to consumers. And younger generations are driving an increase in cross-border shopping. To ensure your online business appeals to these shoppers, it’s important to understand their habits, frustrations and expectations.

Did you know, 1 in 4 social media shoppers say they will abandon their baskets if delivery of their order is too slow?

Knowing how climate-friendly their deliveries are is important to sustainable shoppers – 73% would like information on the CO2 emissions of their delivery.

A range of payment options is key for cross-border shoppers – 67% have not completed a purchase because they couldn’t use their preferred payment method.


WHAT

DO 8 IN 10 OF THESE SHOPPER TYPES WANT WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE?

WHY

DO 54% OF CROSS-BORDER SHOPPERS BUY FROM OTHER COUNTRIES?

WHO

BUYS THEIR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS ON SUBSCRIPTION THE MOST?

WHERE

IN THE WORLD IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT TO 4 IN 5 SHOPPERS?

WHICH

PLATFORM DO 67% OF SOCIAL MEDIA SHOPPERS BUY FROM?

HOW

DO THESE SHOPPERS PREFER TO RECEIVE AND RETURN THEIR ORDERS?


What really secures a sale?

Man buys a jacket online

Why offering the information consumers want to see is important

Not providing enough information on your website could be affecting your sales – 34% of social media shoppers say not enough product information frustrates them, and 26% of crossborder shoppers feel frustrated by unclear customs information. We uncover what’s frustrating consumers across the globe the most to help you optimise your online store.

Woman picks up a parcel from a Parcel Locker

Why it’s important to meet consumers delivery and returns expectations

In today’s competitive e-commerce market, consumers have more choice than ever. In this report, we uncover the one thing that influences where 97% of social, sustainable and crossborder shoppers purchase from online to help you improve the delivery and returns experience for your customers.

DHL employees

Our experts share their industry perspective

Our DHL e-commerce experts share their insights on the evolving e-commerce landscape, as well as their top tips for online retailers looking to increase their sales to social, sustainable, and cross-border shoppers. Read our interviews with Petr Stepenek – Global Social Media Manager, Maša Piter – Global Sustainability Officer and Andreas Schoenemann – Vice President of Cross-Border, DHL eCommerce


Take our e-commerce quiz

Do you know how well your business is selling online? Take our e-commerce quiz to find out – and discover our top tips for your business based on your answers!

From delivery and returns options to making the most of social media and customer reviews, uncover where your business is doing well and where you might need to make some improvements. Download the report and scroll to page 19 to take the quiz.


Discover our entire series of 2024 reports

To help you understand what consumers want from online retailers, we’ve created a series of reports. Each report provides you with valuable insights into how shoppers across the globe browse and buy online – and what matters most to them when they do.

2024 e-commerce trends report

2024 E-Commerce Trends Report

Discover what’s important to online shoppers and why they really abandon their baskets.

Purchasing and Behaviour Report Logo

2024 Purchasing Behavior Report

We reveal what’s driving shoppers to spend and subscribe online and what they buy most often.

Delivery and Returns Report logo

2024 Delivery and Returns Report

Find out the secrets to creating a seamless delivery and returns experience.

Cross-Border Buying Report logo

2024 Cross-Border Buying Report

We uncover why online shoppers buy from other countries and how you can sell to them.

Country reports

2024 Country Guides

We also bring you detailed and in-depth insight into specific markets. If you’re interest in expanding into new markets, or want to know more about your current market then read our series of 2024 Country Reports to help you sell to new customers across the globe.