Businesses purchase products and services online more than ever before. In business-to-business e-commerce, only a small one-digit percentage of online sales are made via marketplaces. Especially in the retail and wholesale sectors, where large companies operate, buyers generate purchase orders through other channels of digital procurement, such as EDI software (electronic digital interchange). However, e-commerce marketplaces are slowly gaining ground due to their ability to provide more customized and flexible supply for businesses, adjusting to their demand and offering an interactive customer experience. In terms of gross merchandise volume (GMV), B2B e-commerce in Asia ranks first in the world, followed by North America.
Distribution of global B2B e-commerce gross merchandise volume (GMV) from 2018 to 2023, by region
Further details: Visit original statistic Distribution of global B2B e-commerce gross merchandise volume (GMV) from 2018 to 2023, by region
Asia makes up roughly 80 percent of the global B2B e-commerce market. The Chinese market is valued at 18.4 trillion yuan, steadily increasing over the last decade. The sustained growth also involves B2B retail platforms of small and medium-sized enterprises, whose revenues are on the rise. In the United States, both wholesale and manufacturing sectors are experiencing a moderate yet steady growth of B2B e-commerce transactions.
B2B e-commerce in EuropeTotal and e-commerce value of merchant wholesale trade sales including MSBOs* in the United States from 2006 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)
All purchases made by businesses through e-commerce channels can be grouped under the wholesale and manufacturing segments. In the United States, wholesale trade e-commerce reported increasing figures, especially for non-durable goods. The value of the U.S. online wholesale trade has risen to over 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, online channels make up nearly 70 percent of all shipments in the manufacturing sector.
Online wholesalersShare of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce companies using AI in the United States in 2023
Further details: Visit original statistic Share of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce companies using AI in the United States in 2023
In the B2B sector, the purchasing experience on e-commerce platforms is under improvement and customization to better meet businesses' needs. Vendors are beginning to apply strategies and provide more services typical of B2C e-commerce: more efficient customer service, personalization, and integration with other online environments. A telling example of this development is the high degree of AI adoption in B2B e-commerce.
Tax management in e-commerceGross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of Amazon Business from 2019 to 2025 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Further details: Visit original statistic Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of Amazon Business from 2019 to 2025 (in billion U.S. dollars)
While e-commerce Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) suites like Adobe, SAP, or Salesforce mainly target large companies, generalist and specialist marketplaces are booming in mainstream B2B online shopping. Alibaba and Amazon lead the ranking of generalist B2B marketplaces, while several smaller platforms raise increasing funding in different sectors.
Amazon Business
B2B e-commerce describes digital commerce between businesses at the level of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers as opposed to the general public or governments. Statista provides crucial figures about the market and covers the leading platforms and marketplaces, differentiating by industries and sectors. Further insights analyze the attitudes and shopping behavior of B2B buyers.
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