What’s driving the future of ecommerce? Your customers’ smartphones.

77% of global retail site traffic came from smartphones in 2024, making it responsible for generating 68% of online shopping orders, reports Statista. The ecommerce brands that are winning today — and tomorrow — are the ones putting mobile first.

What happens when you don’t prioritize a mobile strategy? Revenue slips through the cracks. Customers flock to competitors who embrace the latest technology — wowing customers with experiences like AR and VR. And a mobile-ready website isn’t enough. The brands that capitalize on mobile commerce are the ones building dedicated mobile apps.

Without a mobile app or by relying on outdated, cookie-cutter solutions, you risk losing customer engagement and the revenue that follows.

Ecommerce (and your customers) never stand still. The brands with a competitive edge don’t just launch mobile apps — they build innovation-ready platforms designed to evolve with new technology. 

Ecommerce is evolving, and adaptability is key

The next wave of ecommerce innovation is unfolding on mobile. Shoppers aren’t waiting around for clunky websites. They’re tapping, swiping, and buying in seconds — expecting seamless, hyper-personalized experiences that only a mobile app can fully deliver. And they expect brands to keep up with their expectations.  

The difference between staying ahead and falling behind often comes down to how quickly a brand can adapt. Mejuri’s story is a perfect example of what happens when a company removes technological roadblocks to unlock innovation.

Mejuri's custom-built tech stack was holding them back. Instead of focusing on growth, they were stuck maintaining third-party integrations — losing time, flexibility, and innovation opportunities.

By switching to Shopify’s unified commerce platform, they freed up resources, accelerated new feature launches, and eliminated the hidden cost of moving too slowly.

"The biggest pain point came down to the invisible one, which is the opportunity cost of not moving fast enough and not innovating fast enough.”
‍—Rohit Nathany, Chief Digital Officer at Mejuri

Holding onto rigid, outdated systems doesn’t just create technical headaches—it costs businesses the ability to keep up with consumer expectations and seize new opportunities. The brands that win are the ones that invest in technology built for continuous evolution and not just a quick fix. 

A great way to future-proof your ecommerce brand? Start with mobile innovation.

Mobile is dominating ecommerce

The shift to mobile shopping isn’t slowing down, and e-commerce leaders are reaching a pivotal moment.

• US retail mobile commerce sales exceeded $491 billion in 2023, according to Statista.
• Smartphones generated over 75% of retail site visits and 67% of online shopping orders in Q3 2024, while desktops accounted for just 23%.
• In 2024, 53% of consumers prefer to shop via mobile, with growth across every age group except 65%, according to VML’s Future Shopper report.

The numbers don’t lie. Mobile commerce is the present and future of ecommerce. Optimizing the mobile experience isn’t optional — it’s a revenue-driving necessity.

Mobile apps deliver on shoppers’ demands

Shoppers expect more than a mobile-responsive website. They want fast, immersive, and seamless mobile experiences — and apps deliver..

Here’s what’s shaping mobile commerce right now:

• Emotional brand connections: Ecommerce marketers are shifting away from performance marketing in favor of forging emotional consumer connections. The focus is on brand and long-term brand building (McKinsey’s State of Fashion 2024 report).
• Convenience, not compromise: Shoppers are impatient with clunky experiences — long checkout processes, slow page loads, and difficult navigation are dealbreakers.
• Mobile-first discovery: Consumers are overwhelmed by choice and expect brands to bring the right products to them through personalized push notifications and algorithm-driven product feeds.

But mobile websites alone won’t capitalize on the potential of mobile commerce. Apps offer a strategic advantage, providing deeper engagement, higher conversion rates, and the flexibility to evolve alongside consumer behavior. Innovating with a mobile app now helps your brand evolve alongside consumer behavior instead of playing catch-up.

The future of mobile tech in ecommerce

Despite the mobile trend, the gap between consumer expectations and the reality of mobile shopping is widening.

Mobile shopping presents challenges that brands haven’t solved yet. 

• 67% of users are dissatisfied with their experience on mobile because “links and buttons are too small.”
• 57% of shoppers say retailers can make mobile shopping more enjoyable by making checkout easier.

Fixing these problems is just the next step — one that mobile apps are already prepared to solve. But those are just the table stakes.

From fixing friction to driving innovation

Consumers don’t want a better version of what already exists. They’re ready for entirely new experiences. Brands that close today’s gaps with smarter, more seamless solutions will be the ones leading the next era of mobile commerce.

Here’s what’s coming next.

Prediction 1: AI and machine learning will drive hyper-personalization.

• AI-powered personalized shopping assistants will deliver tailored product suggestions.
• Generative AI will automate personalized push notification copywriting to maximize engagement.
• AI pricing models will adjust pricing in real time based on demand, inventory levels, and customer behavior.

Prediction 2: Augmented reality will transform mobile shopping.

• AR will move beyond gimmicks—expect real-time, interactive try-ons for fashion, beauty, and home goods. 
• Retailers will use AI and AR together to create dynamic, personalized product previews.

Prediction 3: Predictive commerce will mitigate decision fatigue.

• 53% of shoppers say retailers can make mobile shopping more enjoyable by helping them find what they’re looking for faster.
• Predictive analytics will anticipate shopping needs before customers even search.
• AI-driven shopping feeds will curate dynamic, personalized storefronts tailored to each user.

Integrating these trends will help move the needle in ecommerce growth, but innovation never stops. Innovation isn’t just a one-and-done transformation but an ongoing business strategy.

AI, AR, and predictive commerce aren’t just trends to implement once. They require a tech stack that evolves with them. That’s why you need to adopt a mobile app built on a platform designed for continuous innovation.

Innovation isn’t one-and-done — it’s a continuous growth strategy

Thriving ecommerce brands innovate continuously — adapting to new technology, optimizing customer experiences, and moving fast when trends shift. 

There’s a business case for continuous innovation. About 59% of global consumers said that if a brand is digitally innovative, they are more likely to purchase from them, according to VML’s The Future Shopper report.

That means staying agile, evolving with the landscape and embracing change. You’re leading, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries to create what’s next.

Build a mobile app that evolves with your business

If ecommerce is constantly evolving, your mobile app should be, too. We envision a future where mobile apps move beyond transactional interactions, becoming deeply personalized spaces powered by AI. 

That’s exactly what Tapcart’s App Studio was built for — a mobile app platform that gives your brand the flexibility to continuously evolve.

Unlike rigid mobile solutions, App Studio allows brands to launch updates faster, adapt to shifting customer expectations, and seamlessly integrate new technologies — all without costly rebuilds or developmental roadblocks.

The flexibility to scale and stay ahead

With App Studio, your brand can:

• Move fast and stay agile: Launch new features, optimize experiences, and iterate quickly to match changing trends.
• Control your own innovation: Choose to build in-house, collaborate with developers, or with an agency.
• Scale effortlessly: App Studio helps you grow your mobile app with your business, whether you’re just starting out or expanding globally.

A mobile platform designed to adapt and grow

App Studio provides a flexible, open platform that empowers brands to evolve alongside shifting market trends and technological advancements.

• An open platform: Adapt quickly and implement new trends with full control over your app.
• React component library: Use scalable components for high-performance mobile experiences.
• Full code access: Customize screens, workflows, and business logic with local storage support.
• Data streaming: Sync user data for better insights and personalization.

App Studio can integrate new tools and technologies, ensuring your brand remains competitive, flexible, and prepared for long-term success.

Stadium Goods stays ahead with App Studio

Stadium Goods moves fast—so they needed a mobile app that could keep up. With App Studio, they launch updates, test features, and optimize their shopping experience without development roadblocks.

Here’s how they stay agile:

• Drag-and-drop builder: Update the app without coding
• Instant testing: Deploy and refine in real time
• Full customization: Adjust UI, layouts, and branding
• Live mobile previews: See updates exactly as customers do
• Fast execution: Feature trending sneakers and launch promos on demand

"Tapcart allowed us to deliver a complete mobile app experience to our customers, without needing a full development team.”
‍—Kyle Patel, Head of Ecommerce, Stadium Goods

With App Studio, Stadium Goods keeps their app fresh, flexible, and ready for what’s next. 

Want to see how Stadium Goods built a high-performance app that moves as fast as sneaker culture? Read the full case study >

The brands that win keep moving forward

Trying something new is a risk, but the biggest risk is staying the same while the market moves forward. Every feature you invest in today adds to your mobile app’s foundation — making future innovation possible.

The brands that thrive aren’t the ones constantly rebuilding from scratch — they’re the ones with a foundation designed to evolve. With App Studio, you’re equipping your brand with a platform that adapts, scales, and keeps you ahead of whatever’s next.

Drive more revenue with a mobile app built to increase engagement and repeat purchases. See how App Studio can future-proof your mobile commerce strategy. 

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