Ecommerce has assumed an even larger role over the past year as the effects of the global pandemic have pushed almost every customer-facing business into the online world. Internet retailers have set sales records throughout 2020 as billions of buyers stay safe at home and do their shopping via their laptops and mobile devices instead of visiting storefronts and malls.

With this in mind, it's not surprising that 2021 promises to be a pivotal year for ecommerce. Although traditional retail experiences are predicted to return by the third quarter after vaccination campaigns have helped bring the COVID-19 virus under control, there's strong evidence that ecommerce won't see its role diminished over the next 12 months.
Here are three important trends in ecommerce that will help define 2021.