The B2B E-commerce Boom: Digital Dominance Reshapes Business Buying

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When e-commerce first emerged, the act of buying and selling online was largely reserved for business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. Sure some businesses dabbled in it, having used systems like electronic data interchange (EDI) to transact business for decades, but for the most part e-commerce was a consumer-focused segment.

Fast-forward to 2025 and the script has been flipped to the point where growth in the business-to-business (B2B) market is nearly double that of its B2C counterpart:

• The numbers vary based on the source of the statistics, but by one measure the global B2C e-commerce market size was $4.8 trillion in 2023 and is on track to reach $9 trillion by 2032. The market is currently posting a compound annual growth rate of 7%. 
  
  
• Meanwhile, Market.us Scoop says the global B2B market is expected to reach nearly $15 trillion by 2034—up from a current $4 trillion—and posting a CAGR of more than 14% (double that of the B2C sector). It says the growth is being driven by factors like increased digital transformation, adoption of cloud-based platforms and rising demand for efficient procurement processes across industries.

Online marketplaces are both supporting and cashing in on the B2B trend. For example, DigitalCommerce360 says Shopify Inc.’s B2B gross merchandise volume (GMV) grew by 109% year-over-year during the first quarter. “This signals accelerating adoption of the platform among wholesalers and enterprise sellers amid global trade volatility and digital commerce transformation,” it adds. 

Geographic location also matters when assessing B2B growth. According to Market.us Scoop, Asia-Pacific dominated the B2B market in 2024 with a 42.7% share. North America and Europe follow as mature markets focusing on technological innovation and supply chain optimization. Emerging regions like Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are also witnessing steady growth, it says, supported by improving internet penetration and government initiatives to foster digital commerce and trade facilitation.

A Profound Transformation

In Forbes, John Bruno of PROS writes about how the B2B commerce landscape is in the middle of a “profound transformation” that’s being driven by advancements in AI, shifting buyer expectations, and increasing economic pressures. For example, he says AI has shifted from experimental technology to a vital instrument embedded in every aspect of B2B operations. 

“Organizations are utilizing AI to enhance product recommendations, optimize search relevance, and implement AI-powered strategies like dynamic pricing,” Bruno writes, noting that key applications of AI in B2B commerce include predictive analytics and generative AI. “With predictive analytics businesses can detect customer churn risks, enabling proactive retention strategies,” he points out. “From drafting automated responses to helping sales teams make informed decisions in real time, generative AI is reshaping the customer experience.”

There’s More to Come

Industrial B2B organizations are also deploying AI-driven procurement agents to automate purchasing decisions. These agents can analyze data and quickly evaluate factors such as costs, ESG compliance and supplier data, ensuring informed decision-making. Citing Forrester’s research, Bruno says nearly 30% of B2B firms will integrate AI buying agents.

For example, Siemens has applied AI procurement tools to streamline supplier management, achieving cost efficiencies while adhering to sustainability mandates. “Businesses prioritizing ESG-compliant procurement tools will find themselves better positioned as these practices become industry standards,” Bruno adds.

Despite the tariff situation and other storm clouds that may threaten B2B growth, Market.us Scoop expects the expanding digital economy and increasing adoption of B2B e-commerce platforms to present “significant opportunities” for businesses in the coming years. Some of the key growth areas to watch include AI-powered procurement solutions, cloud-based marketplaces and integrated logistics services.