Mobile commerce in 2026: key figures and trends
Mobile commerce is no longer a side channel for e-commerce. For many customers, a phone is the first place they discover products, compare options and complete an order.
Market estimates differ by source and country, but the direction is consistent: mobile accounts for a substantial share of online retail, and merchants need a buying experience that works well on a small screen.
Mobile commerce is a multi-trillion-dollar market
Global mobile commerce is measured in trillions of dollars. Its growth is driven by widespread smartphone access, convenient payment methods and customers who expect to shop whenever they have a few minutes available.
The exact market size and growth rate depend on the methodology used. The useful takeaway for a merchant is simpler: mobile is already a core part of e-commerce, not a future trend to watch from a distance.
Mobile represents a large share of online sales
Across many markets, mobile now represents roughly half or more of e-commerce transactions. The proportion varies widely by country, product category and audience. A desktop-first store can therefore leave a large share of its potential customers with a less comfortable experience.
A responsive website is the baseline. The next question is whether your most valuable returning customers would benefit from a dedicated app.
Apps and mobile websites serve different needs
Mobile web is essential for discovery. It is easy to access from search, social media and advertising. Apps are particularly useful once a customer has decided to return: they can stay signed in, return to a persistent cart and access a familiar shopping environment.
Industry benchmarks often suggest that apps can perform better for repeat purchasing, although results differ by sector and checkout. Read our guide to the mobile app versus mobile web conversion rate for the practical reasons behind that difference.
Retention matters as much as acquisition
Acquiring a new visitor can be expensive. Making it easy for an existing customer to return is usually more efficient. That is where a mobile app can add value through a faster repeat journey, saved preferences and useful push notifications.
The point is not to send more messages. It is to send relevant messages, such as an order update, back-in-stock alert or cart reminder. Our guide explains how e-commerce push notifications work.
What mobile commerce trends mean for merchants
Make mobile checkout simple: clear prices, fast pages and payment options designed for a phone.
Measure the right journey: look separately at mobile web and app conversion, repeat purchase rate and cart recovery.
Focus on returning customers: an app is most useful when it makes a second or third purchase easier.
Choose the right format: a native app, responsive website and PWA each solve different problems.
For a detailed comparison, read our guide to a mobile app, responsive website and PWA.
Create a PrestaShop mobile app with Prestafy
Prestafy helps PrestaShop merchants create a branded iOS and Android app connected to their existing store. Catalogue, prices, stock and orders remain synchronised, while customers get a more direct way to return and shop.
