Main social commerce purchase categories worldwide 2024, by frequency

In 2024, ** percent of global consumers had purchased apparel and accessories three to seven times via social media, while ** percent reported buying in this category eight or more times. Meanwhile, groceries and food supplies topped the list as the most frequently purchased category, with ** percent indicating they had bought them eight or more times in the previous year.

Growth and revenue potential

The social commerce sector is experiencing rapid expansion, reflecting the increasing consumer comfort with making purchases through social media channels. In 2023, social commerce generated an estimated revenue of *** billion U.S. dollars worldwide. With a projected compound annual growth rate of **** percent from 2023 to 2028, the industry is poised to surpass the *** trillion dollar mark by 2028. This substantial growth underscores the importance of social media as a sales channel for businesses across various sectors. 

Platform preferences

Facebook remains the frontrunner in delivering the best social commerce experience, with ** percent of global consumers favoring the platform in 2024. Instagram and TikTok followed, garnering ** percent and ** percent of consumer preference, respectively. On the other hand, when looking at the highest revenue generating social commerce platforms, Chinese social sites dominate. In 2024, Douyin ranked first, with nearly *** billion U.S. dollars in revenue, followed by Wechat at *** billion and Little Red Book at ** billion U.S. dollars. Facebook placed fourth, with a revenue of ** billion U.S. dollars.