Retailers gear up for a transformative year as social commerce, hybrid shopping, and out-of-home delivery redefine consumer expectations.
In 2025, social commerce is set to revolutionize the way consumers shop. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are evolving into full-fledged shopping destinations, enabling users to discover, engage, and purchase products without leaving the app. From live shopping events to influencer-driven campaigns, brands are leveraging these tools to convert followers into loyal customers.
Alexandra Lervy, Technology Partnerships Lead at SHOPLINE, emphasizes, “As shoppers demand more seamless, integrated experiences, businesses must adapt quickly to ensure they can meet these evolving expectations.” For supply chain leaders, this shift underscores the importance of integrating social commerce capabilities into their operations to stay competitive. This is a clear indication of the ascendancy of AI in supply chain management.
Hybrid Shopping: Bridging Digital and Physical Retail
The hybrid retail model is gaining momentum, blending online and in-store experiences into a unified journey. With over £30 billion in click-and-collect orders projected for 2025, brands are investing in technologies like digital kiosks and mobile integrations to create frictionless, personalized shopping experiences.
Lou Casados, VP of Sales at Getida, notes, “Consumers want the freedom to move between online platforms and brick-and-mortar stores effortlessly.” For supply chain directors, this trend highlights the need for robust omnichannel strategies that ensure inventory visibility and fulfillment efficiency across all touchpoints. This is a clear example of the reinvention of retail through direct sales.
Marketplaces and Out-of-Home Delivery: The Next Big Shifts
Marketplaces like TikTok Shop, SHEIN, and Temu are reshaping ecommerce, while niche platforms such as Poshmark and Back Market are gaining traction. Retailers must navigate the complexities of integrating with multiple marketplaces to capitalize on these opportunities.
Simultaneously, out-of-home (OOH) delivery solutions, including parcel lockers and PUDO points, are becoming the preferred choice for consumers seeking convenience and sustainability. Rehab El Hadari, Senior Partnerships Manager at Sendcloud, highlights the benefits: “Out-of-home delivery offers significant advantages, including higher delivery success rates and reduced last-mile costs.” This is a clear indication of the optimization of last-mile delivery as a key driver for retail growth.
Adapting to the Future of Retail
As ecommerce evolves, supply chain leaders must prioritize adaptability and innovation. From integrating social commerce tools to optimizing hybrid shopping experiences and embracing OOH delivery, the brands that succeed will be those that deliver seamless, personalized, and flexible solutions.
2025 presents an opportunity to lead the charge in transforming retail operations to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. This is a clear example of the need for adapting to the future of logistics through key training trends.
