Global E-Commerce Growth Continues Despite Summer Slowdown in July 2026

Summer has arrived, and with it, a seasonal slowdown in global e-commerce activity. July 2026 marked the beginning of the typical summer lull, with monthly revenues declining slightly compared to June.

Global e-commerce revenue reached US$429.8 billion in July 2026, which represents a moderate decrease from the previous month. However, the year-on-year perspective paints a better picture: compared to July 2025, global e-commerce grew by 9.3%.

The seasonal dip has not changed the underlying growth trajectory. E-commerce continues to expand steadily, supported by solid performance in key markets and resilient consumer demand.

The United States Continues to Drive Global Growth

Among the world's leading e-commerce markets, the United States remained one of the biggest contributors to growth.

US e-commerce revenue increased by 9.9% year on year in July 2026, thereby outperforming several other major markets. The US therefore continues to outperform China in growth, as has been the case in previous months.

Care Products Lead Category Growth

Category performance remained relatively stable compared to the prior months, with everyday consumer needs continuing to drive growth.

Care Products once again recorded a substantial year-on-year growth in July, increasing by 10.3%. The category continues to benefit from recurring demand and consumers' growing preference for purchasing essential products online.

Other well-performing categories included:

• DIY: +9.2% year on year

• Fashion: +9.0% year on year

• Furniture & Homeware: +9.0% year on year

The continued performance of these categories demonstrates that e-commerce growth is increasingly supported by both everyday essentials and established online shopping categories.

Visa and Mastercard Remain the Most Widely Adopted Payment Methods

Payment preferences remained largely unchanged in July.

Visa and Mastercard continued to lead among online stores, each reaching an adoption rate of around 77.5%. American Express followed with an adoption rate of 57.0%.

E-Commerce Growth Remains on Track

While July's month-on-month figures reflect typical seasonal patterns, the broader growth trend remains intact.

Global e-commerce continues to expand, driven by solid key market performance, resilient consumer demand, and ongoing improvements in the digital shopping experience. The summer slowdown may affect short-term comparisons, but it has not changed the long-term outlook.