The rapid adoption of smartphones, expanding internet connectivity, and growing preference for convenient digital transactions are transforming the global retail landscape. Mobile commerce, commonly known as m-commerce, enables consumers to purchase products, book services, make payments, and access digital platforms through smartphones and tablets. Its integration with digital wallets, mobile banking, social commerce, and personalized shopping applications is making mobile devices an increasingly important channel for commercial transactions.

According to Straits Research, the global m-commerce market was valued at USD 2.53 trillion in 2025 and is projected to increase from USD 2.74 trillion in 2026 to USD 5.22 trillion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 8.39% during the forecast period 2026–2034. The expansion of mobile retailing, contactless payment infrastructure, and AI-powered shopping experiences is expected to support market growth.

AI-Powered Shopping Experiences Strengthen Market Demand

Artificial intelligence is changing how consumers discover products and complete purchases through mobile applications. Retailers are increasingly using AI-powered recommendation engines, conversational search, predictive analytics, and personalized product suggestions to improve shopping experiences. These technologies analyze browsing behavior, purchase history, and consumer preferences to deliver more relevant recommendations.

In 2025, Walmart expanded its AI-powered shopping capabilities through personalized product discovery, conversational search, and AI-driven recommendations across its digital shopping ecosystem. Such developments demonstrate how retailers are integrating intelligent technologies into mobile commerce platforms to improve customer engagement and conversion opportunities.

Mobile Retailing Dominates Transaction Activity

M-retailing dominated the m-commerce market, accounting for 54.6% of the global market share in 2025. The segment's leadership reflects the widespread adoption of mobile shopping applications, growing smartphone penetration, and consumer preference for convenient purchasing experiences. Retailers are increasingly optimizing mobile websites and applications to support product discovery, secure checkout, order tracking, and personalized promotions.

M-ticketing and booking, m-billing, and other mobile transactions also contribute to market development. Consumers increasingly use mobile platforms for travel reservations, entertainment bookings, utility payments, and digital services. The expansion of mobile-first customer experiences is broadening the commercial applications of m-commerce beyond traditional retail purchases.

NFC Payments and Digital Wallets Accelerate Mobile Transactions

Near Field Communication (NFC) is projected to be the fastest-growing payment mode in the m-commerce market, registering a CAGR of 27.4% during 2026–2034. NFC technology enables contactless transactions through compatible smartphones and payment terminals, allowing consumers to complete purchases without physically handling cash or payment cards.

The expansion of digital wallets and contactless payment infrastructure is supporting this development. Platforms such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other regional payment applications are improving the accessibility of mobile transactions. These solutions are becoming increasingly relevant across retail stores, restaurants, transportation networks, and service businesses.

Social Commerce and Mobile-First Retail Create New Opportunities

Social commerce is expanding the relationship between digital content and online purchasing. Consumers increasingly discover products through social media platforms, influencer recommendations, short-form videos, and live-stream shopping experiences. Mobile applications allow users to move from product discovery to checkout within a connected digital environment.

Retailers are also investing in faster checkout processes, personalized offers, and integrated payment solutions to reduce purchasing friction. The combination of mobile retailing, social engagement, and digital payment technologies is creating opportunities for businesses seeking to strengthen customer relationships and increase online sales.

North America Leads While Europe Records Faster Growth

North America dominated the m-commerce market with a 36.2% share in 2025, supported by widespread smartphone adoption, established digital payment infrastructure, and the strong presence of major e-commerce and technology companies. The United States represents the largest contributor within the region, driven by mobile shopping applications, digital wallets, social commerce, and investments in AI-powered retail experiences.

Europe is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market, registering a CAGR of 28.1% during 2026–2034. Increasing adoption of mobile banking, digital wallets, cross-border e-commerce, and secure payment technologies is supporting regional expansion. Germany and the United Kingdom remain important contributors through their established retail ecosystems and growing use of mobile payment platforms.

Asia Pacific also represents a significant market, supported by large mobile-first consumer populations, expanding internet accessibility, and widespread digital payment adoption. China, India, and Japan offer opportunities through mobile shopping applications, integrated payment ecosystems, and expanding online retail activity.

Industry Developments and Competitive Landscape

Developments in payment technology and digital commerce platforms are strengthening the m-commerce ecosystem. In April 2026, Visa introduced its "Era of Commerce" initiative, highlighting AI-powered payment capabilities and partnerships designed to support AI-driven shopping experiences. In November 2025, SAP introduced advanced AI capabilities, including Joule Agents, to help enterprises develop more intelligent digital commerce solutions.

In October 2025, Ericsson announced a USD 3 billion partnership in Canada to accelerate next-generation 5G connectivity, supporting faster and more reliable mobile commerce experiences. Earlier, in July 2025, Curve and Thales expanded their partnership to launch Curve Pay on iOS, enabling NFC-based contactless mobile payments across iOS and Android devices.

Key companies operating in the m-commerce market include Amazon.com Inc., Alibaba Group, PayPal Holdings Inc., Google LLC, Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd., Ant Group, Mastercard Incorporated, Visa Inc., Adyen N.V., Stripe Inc., Razorpay Software Private Limited, and PhonePe Private Limited.

Competition is shaped by payment security, application performance, transaction convenience, digital wallet integration, and personalized shopping capabilities. Companies are increasingly focusing on payment innovation and seamless mobile experiences to strengthen their positions in the evolving digital commerce ecosystem.

Future Outlook

The m-commerce market is positioned for continued expansion as mobile shopping, digital wallets, AI-powered recommendations, and contactless payment technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday consumer activities. Mobile retailing will remain an important transaction category, while NFC payments and personalized shopping experiences create additional growth opportunities. With the market projected to reach USD 5.22 trillion by 2034, mobile commerce will remain a major component of the global digital economy.

Explore the full market report: https://straitsresearch.com/report/m-commerce-market

About Straits Research

Straits Research is a market intelligence and consulting firm providing industry analysis, market sizing, competitive assessments, and strategic insights across global industries. Its research supports businesses and decision-makers in identifying market opportunities and making informed strategic decisions.