Top 5 business trends for 2025: AI, ecommerce, and more

New technology, changing customer demands, and shifting markets are forcing everyone to adapt faster than ever.

Here’s what’s happening: 9 out of 10 workers already see ways to use AI in their jobs, nearly half of Americans bought something eco-friendly in the past month, and online shopping experiences keep evolving.

This guide cuts through the noise to show you what really matters. We’ll cover everything from how AI is making people more productive to why TikTok is becoming an advertising goldmine, plus how going green is actually making companies more profitable.

Yes, there are challenges – the business world is still figuring out AI policies, and people are getting more worried about their personal data. But the businesses getting ahead of these trends are seeing real improvements in how much they get done, how happy their customers are, and how much their bottom line grows.

Want to know which business trends will matter most in 2025? Let’s look at the numbers that tell the real story.

Key business trends and statistics shaping 2025

• 89% of professionals see ways to use AI in their daily work.
• TikTok’s ad revenue will hit $32.4 billion globally in 2025, growing 24.5% year over year.
• Nearly 3 billion people will shop online by 2025.
• 49% of Americans bought something eco-friendly last month.
• Two-thirds of customer service will be automated by 2030.
• Storytelling ads deliver 70% higher ROI than promotional content.
• Digital video ad spending is growing 2-3 times faster than traditional media.

Understanding the driving forces behind trends in business

Three major forces are transforming how businesses work.

• AI is solving workplace problems. Artificial intelligence has moved from science fiction to a practical tool that’s making people more productive every day.
• What customers care about is reshaping markets. Consumers want sustainable products and control over their data, and they’re putting their money where their values are.
• Digital experiences aren’t optional anymore. People shop on their phones, discover brands on TikTok, and expect everything to work seamlessly online.

The companies winning right now? They’re embracing these changes instead of fighting them.

1. How AI became essential to everyday work

In the last few years, AI went from workplace curiosity to an essential business tool.

According to the Thomson Reuters Institute, 89% of professionals now use generative AI (GenAI) – tools that can write, analyze, and create content – in their daily work, which is up from 81% just one year ago.

And it’s not just tech workers. To see how many companies use AI, just look at who’s adopting these tools: lawyers are drafting contracts, accountants are analyzing spreadsheets, marketers are creating campaigns, and customer service reps are handling inquiries – all with AI assistance.

The breakthrough was accessibility. Tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot made powerful AI available to anyone without technical training. Now, tasks like writing reports, crunching data, or brainstorming solutions happen in minutes.

AI skeptics are becoming believers

Attitudes toward AI have shifted in the past year. More than half (55%) now say they’re excited or hopeful about AI’s future, which is an 11% jump from 2024. Meanwhile, hesitancy dropped by the same amount as more people started using these tools [Thomson Reuters Institute].

The excitement isn’t about the technology itself, it’s about what it does for them. When professionals explain their enthusiasm, they focus on practical benefits like getting hours back in their day, finishing tasks faster, having better tools for everyday work, and finding new ways to innovate and grow.

People want GenAI to handle routine tasks

Professionals want GenAI to take over routine and low-level tasks so they can focus on more strategic work. It’s about saving time and reducing costs while freeing up mental energy for bigger picture tasks.

But some are still hesitant. The people holding back are primarily worried about accuracy. Some will not accept anything less than 100% reliability, while others feel current tools aren’t quite good enough yet. These hesitations are part of larger AI adoption trends across industries.

Younger workers are leading the AI charge

According to the Thomson Reuters Institute, 57% of Gen Z and 56% of millennials already use GenAI daily, and their experience has been positive. They say AI improves the quality of their work, frees up time for strategic thinking, and helps with work-life balance.

But they’re not naive about what’s coming, as many have concerns about AI’s impact on job availability. That’s why they believe developing soft skills like empathy and leadership gives them a competitive edge when working alongside AI tools.

Companies aren’t ready for the AI future they expect

While 95% of professionals believe GenAI will be central to their workflow and business operations within five years, 52% of companies still don’t have basic AI policies in place [Thomson Reuters Institute].

The AI training gap is just as bad. Nearly two-thirds of employees say they’ve received no AI training from their employers. When companies do provide employee training, it’s often inadequate, with one-third receiving it less than annually or just when needed.

This creates a divide between expectation and preparation. Employees are racing ahead with AI tools while their companies are scrambling to catch up with basic policies and training.

2. Why every business needs an online strategy

Online shopping is expanding rapidly and shows no signs of slowing down. What started as a convenient alternative to visiting stores has become the default way people buy everything from food to gadgets.

The ecommerce statistics are impressive: global ecommerce revenue will hit $6.4 trillion by 2029, growing at nearly 10% annually. To put that in perspective, ecommerce will account for nearly a quarter of all retail sales worldwide by 2027, up from less than 20% just a few years ago.

People are shopping online constantly

Nearly 9 out of 10 people made an online purchase within the last month, making online shopping as routine as grabbing groceries.

What’s driving this? Consumer demand is informed by convenience, selection, and the simple fact that online shopping works better for busy lifestyles. When you can buy anything from anywhere at any time, visiting a retail store starts feeling pretty limiting.

Mobile shopping is taking over

Here’s where it gets even more interesting: mobile ecommerce will account for 62% of digital sales by 2027. People aren’t just shopping online – they’re shopping on their phones while commuting, during lunch breaks, and from their couches.

This mobile-first approach is changing how businesses need to think about customer experience. If your checkout process doesn’t work perfectly on a smartphone, you’re missing out on the majority of sales.

Nearly 3 billion people will shop online by 2025

And we’re just getting started. Around 2.7 billion people are expected to shop online by 2025, and nearly half the world’s population will become regular online shoppers by 2029.

For businesses, this represents both a massive opportunity and serious competition. The companies that nail the online experience will win over these new shoppers, while those moving more slowly could miss out on this growth.

3. How business advertising is changing

The advertising world is also changing fast, and smart businesses are shifting their strategies to match where audiences actually spend their time and attention.

Traditional advertising approaches are getting left behind as new platforms prove they can deliver better results.

Companies are discovering that the old playbook of polished, promotional content isn’t working as well as authentic, story-driven approaches that feel more natural to audiences.

TikTok’s advertising revenue is growing faster than Facebook’s and Instagram’s

TikTok is winning the ad revenue race. According to Advanced Television, the platform will hit $32.4 billion in revenue in 2025, growing 24.5% year over year, while Facebook manages just 9.3% growth and Instagram 19%.

Marketers are putting their money where the eyeballs are – 81% of agencies and 74% of clients plan to spend more on TikTok in 2025 than any other digital platform. It makes sense as most people now turn to social media to discover and research products.

This momentum is global. With 1.59 billion users worldwide, TikTok has become the fifth most-used mobile app globally and the top choice for women aged 16-24.

Digital video advertising is taking over traditional TV

According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, digital video is expected to capture nearly 60% of total TV and video ad spend in 2025 – double its share from just five years ago.

This represents a shift in digital advertising trends away from traditional media. Digital video is now growing two to three times faster than traditional media, with most major categories increasing their digital budgets by double figures.

Everyone’s jumping in: big consumer brands are boosting digital video spending by 13%, retail by 18%, and pharma by 19%. They’re drawn to advanced targeting, AI-driven personalization, real-time insights, and shoppable ads that let viewers buy instantly.

Storytelling beats promotional content by 70%

People want authentic content, not obvious advertising. Ads focused on storytelling without pushing products directly deliver 70% higher ROI, with user-generated storytelling achieving a 17.8 ROI compared to just 10.1 for promotional ads [Dentsu].

When brands focus on engaging narratives instead of direct sales pitches, audiences pay more attention and are more likely to buy later.

Creator content drives real sales results

User-generated content featuring influencers is delivering excellent sales results. This represents a major shift away from expensive celebrity endorsements and polished brand ads toward authentic creators who’ve earned their audience’s trust.

The lesson? When it comes to getting people to actually buy something, authenticity and relatability matter more than high-budget production.

Always-on advertising replaces campaign bursts

The old model of running big advertising campaigns in short bursts is becoming less effective. Brands with a consistent, always-on presence on platforms like TikTok are seeing significantly higher sales impact than those running isolated campaigns.

Consistent presence matters because you can’t predict when someone will be ready to buy your product. Maintaining regular visibility increases the chances you’ll be top of mind when customers are making purchasing decisions.

4. How sustainability became a business necessity

What used to be feel-good corporate initiatives have become serious business. Sustainability now drives real growth and shapes where both consumers spend and investors invest their money.

It’s a simple cycle that’s gaining momentum in terms of business trends. More people want eco-friendly products, so companies invest in greener practices. Those companies often perform better financially, which encourages even more businesses to go sustainable. That creates more green options for consumers, and the cycle keeps spinning.

Nearly half of Americans bought something eco-friendly last month

More people are choosing sustainable products than ever before. According to GlobeScan, almost half of all Americans bought something eco-friendly in the past month, and the trend is only getting stronger.

They’re looking for less packaging, supporting companies with better environmental practices, and buying recycled products as part of their regular shopping routine.

Green consumer trends are forcing businesses to do better

When shoppers demand better, businesses listen, and so do investors. This consumer push towards sustainability has created an investment trend called ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It’s how investors judge whether companies are doing the right thing in three key areas:

• Environmental. Using clean energy, cutting pollution, managing waste better, and not depleting natural resources.
• Social. Treating workers fairly, protecting customer data, hiring diverse teams, and supporting their communities.
• Governance. Having good leadership, preventing corruption, and making sure executives aren’t overpaid.

The math is simple: when nearly half of shoppers consistently choose sustainable options, companies and investors get the message. Environmental and social responsibility isn’t optional anymore.

ESG investing is about to explode

According to Bloomberg Intelligence, global ESG investments are expected to hit $40 trillion by 2030, showing that the financial world is betting serious money on sustainability.

And it’s not just about doing good, it’s about doing well. Most investors (85%) say ESG investing actually makes them more money through better returns and stronger portfolios.

Turns out, companies that treat people and the planet better often perform better financially, too.

5. How AI is transforming customer service

Customer service is also getting a complete makeover. AI and automation are changing how businesses talk to their customers, creating faster and more personalized experiences.

Smart companies are using technology to respond faster and work more efficiently while still maintaining the human touch that customers actually want.

But all this personalization comes with a cost: customers are getting more worried about how companies use their personal data and whether they can still trust these automated interactions.

Two-thirds of customer interactions will be automated by 2030

According to Futurum, two-thirds of interactions with companies will be handled by artificial intelligence instead of actual people by 2030.

This customer experience automation isn’t limited to online interactions, either. Within the next few years, 67% of face-to-face interactions, like asking for help at an information desk, getting sales assistance, or requesting hotel services, will mostly be handled by machines.

Even the decision-making process is becoming automated. Nearly 70% of real-time choices about how to help customers will be made by AI, not humans. Companies say this means faster, more consistent service with fewer mistakes.

Most consumers worry about how brands use their data

While automation is advancing rapidly, consumer trust in how companies handle their personal information is declining. Three out of four consumers worry about the amount of data that companies collect when they shop or browse online.

The problem goes beyond just collecting data. According to Futurum, 73% of consumers feel like companies are using their personal information however they want, and 61% have essentially given up, believing their data is already out there with nothing they can do about it.

Consumers want more control over their information. Nearly 80% feel they should be able to see exactly what information a company has about them and change or delete it whenever they want. Most also believe companies shouldn’t be allowed to share their data with other businesses.

New technologies are reshaping customer engagement

Looking ahead, the ecommerce customer experience is about to get a lot more futuristic. According to Futurum, six out of ten consumers say they would use virtual or augmented reality as part of their shopping, letting them try products virtually.

The business trends expectations for 2030 are even more ambitious: eight out of 10 consumers expect drones to be part of their brand experience, and the same percentage expects to be using smart assistants regularly in their interactions with companies and organizations.

Businesses are preparing for this shift. Over 80% are building or planning better data systems so they can keep track of each customer across all their different interactions – whether that’s online, in-store, or through these new technologies.

The future of business: what the data tells us

So what does all this mean? The companies and small businesses that will thrive are those actively reshaping their entire approach around how people actually want to work, shop, and interact with brands.

AI is becoming essential to business

Most professionals already see ways to use GenAI in their work, but the problem is that most companies and small businesses still don’t have basic guidelines about AI use in their business operations.

This gap between what employees want and what companies are prepared for creates both huge opportunities and real risks.

Online-first isn’t optional anymore

Nearly 3 billion people will shop online by 2025, with most of that happening on phones. TikTok’s explosive ad growth compared to Facebook and Instagram shows where audiences have gone in terms of social media platforms, and smart brands are following them.

Values matter as much as products

When almost half of shoppers buy eco-friendly products and sustainable investing is growing rapidly, being green isn’t just nice – it’s necessary.

At the same time, people want futuristic shopping experiences while demanding control over their personal data, creating opportunities and challenges for businesses.

What it all adds up to

Success comes down to being flexible, authentic, and truly customer-focused. The companies that master AI, nail digital experiences, operate sustainably, and earn customer trust will win big. And the time to start adapting is now.

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