E-commerce in Pakistan is witnessing a significant boost due to the expanding internet penetration, tech-awareness, and increased tech-savvy population. It is maintained in Pakistan’s leading newspaper, The Dawn, that the e-commerce sector will generate over $5.2 billion in revenue in 2029, with further potential growth of $6.7 in 2029. All this showcases that e-commerce will become an estimated $7 billion industry in Pakistan if government regulation ensures a level playing field for businesses, be they small, medium, or large.
In this blog, UnityDiv has decided to discuss all the factors contributing to the e-commerce boom in Pakistan. Along with the future of e-commerce and opportunities for earning in Pakistan.
So, let’s start an in-depth exploration of the matter;
E-Commerce Trends in Pakistan in 2025
Growth of Internet Users
Internet penetration is on the rise worldwide. Pakistan is not at all impervious to this latest trend. According to the estimates, Pakistan is on the 7th rank when it comes to internet usage, with over 140 million active internet users. This upswing in the number of internet users and preferability toward online shopping is associated with improved affordability of smartphone acquisition. Businesses and retail organizations are realizing the benefits of exploring the untapped Pakistani e-commerce market to increase their consumer base and transcend geographic boundaries.
Diverse Availability of E-Commerce Platforms
Pakistan’s e-commerce platform features a highly diverse landscape, catering to the needs of varied sections of society and providing tremendous opportunities for the diversified growth of Pakistan’s e-commerce industry. For example, in some platforms like Daraz ( one of the leading online marketplaces), you can get a vast array of products, from electronics and clothing, to household items. Other somewhat more specialized e-commerce platforms include PakWheels (related to selling and buying of cars), OLX ( a platform primarily designed to focus on the classified ads that facilitate the sale and purchase of second products belonging to various categories), and Food Panda (the food delivery system that connects consumers with restaurants and grocery stores). Indeed, the growth of specialized e-commerce platforms not only contributes to personalized customer experience but also leads to the expansion of online business.
Embracing Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)
By 2025, mobile shopping will witness an upward trend owing to the convenience of shopping through mobile rather than other electronic devices. It is estimated that most of the users in Pakistan (almost 75%) access the web through mobile phones. This is more so the case with those people belonging to rural areas. In rural areas, people are comparatively less educated and have less ownership of laptops. All they have access to is a mobile phone because it is a basic part of necessity and communication. Since most online buyers access online stores through mobile devices, optimizing the website for mobile users will be the foremost priority of business in 2025. Much preference will be given to offering localized mobile interfaces in regional languages and integrating a secure mobile payment system.
Rise of Social Media Commerce
Where there is a customer, there is a shop. No business can excel in the absence of a strong consumer base. Attracting clients and customers is the top-most concern of all businesses. Social media, with an active user base of billions, allows e-commerce stores to engage with potential customers even if he is not in close territorial proximity. Spatial constraints no longer restrict the markets; instead, buying and selling now occur beyond borders.
So, one must know that social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are not just for entertainment and scrolling; they are making themselves an important arena for conducting business. It would not be wrong to say that in subsequent years, more and more of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will use these social media platforms as an e-commerce hub that links them with their desired audience.
Adoption of AI
With AI spreading its tentacles in almost every aspect of life, one cannot envision the future of e-commerce without it. Indeed, Artificial intelligence will play a significant role in personalizing the e-commerce experience without actively participating in analyzing consumer behavior to build a relatable brand persona. Automated AI software can now give customized recommendations to businesses by analyzing consumer interest. Decision-making with the help of AI is more likely to become objective and data-driven, as subjective human perceptions are more prone to making decisions that are influenced by individual biases. The concrete manifestations of AI in the e-commerce industry are chatbots (virtual assistants offering 24/7 customer support), automated predictive analysis using AI software, etc.
Expansion in Payment Options
The e-commerce sector in Pakistan is currently suffering because of the unavailability of diversified and international payment options. Prominent international payment options like Stripe, Paypal, Wise, etc, lack their services in Pakistan, inhibiting the inflow of income from foreign countries. As far as the local e-commerce industry is concerned, there is less preference for digital wallets and mobile payment options. Cash on Delivery (COD) is Pakistan’s preferred mode for buying things online. This makes it difficult to establish a trustworthy interaction between buyer and seller online, quite evident from the fact that most of the customers return their parcel without paying, putting the seller in a financially disadvantageous position. In 2025, the focus will remain on increasing online transactions by offering secure transaction methods and loyal rewards to customers.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, the e-commerce sector in Pakistan is constantly evolving and is expected to grow at a faster pace in 2025. The key to survival is to stay ahead of the trends and to take one’s business activities online. This is important to strengthen brand image, awareness, and customer base.UnityDiv, as a professional digital marketing agency, puts great stress on improving the digital standing of businesses to help our clients survive the highly competitive e-commerce arena.
If you are interested in taking out comprehensive e-commerce services, contact us now to get the best quote.
