The ecommerce industry is already worth more than $25.93 trillion in 2025, but it’s set to get even bigger in the years ahead. Indeed, projections suggest that it could more than triple in size by 2030, when it will reach a valuation of $83.26 trillion.
Ontario has established itself as one of the top regions for ecommerce innovation in North America and is leading the way when it comes to live-streamed ecommerce. The technology is already starting to have a huge impact in the industry, and companies in Ontario are helping with its evolution.
Live Streaming the Next Major Upgrade to Ecommerce
The live streaming boom over the last decade has been incredible, and the technology has permeated almost every industry. One of its key uses in digital industries has been in the gaming market, with Twitch and online casinos among the first platforms to show its potential. Now, live casino is one of the most popular categories at iGaming sites, and the roulette online options span various new ways to play such as Live XXXtreme Lightning Roulette and Live Power Up Roulette.
After witnessing the power of live streaming in connecting people at home to real world experiences, some ecommerce sites in Asia started to see the benefit of using it to sell products. Alibaba jumped on this first with Taobao Live, and now it is widespread throughout China. Live commerce is hugely popular in the country, and the market in the country was valued at $2.22 trillion in 2023.
Live streaming’s success in the East has been impossible to ignore, and now various Western ecommerce sites are beginning to get on board with the technology. Various Ontario-based businesses see the potential of live commerce and are busy working on ways to innovate.
What Ontario Businesses Are Leading in Live Commerce?
There are a few key brands in Ontario that have helped lead the shift towards live commerce, with Toronto’s ShopThing one of the best examples of an innovative model. The company engages with customers in various ways, such as having influencers live stream from retail stores and showcase products directly to online viewers.
Three Ships Beauty is another notable company that focuses on forging a human connection with customers through live streaming and conversation. The concept is all about bringing the local shop experience to a wider audience online, and developing strong bonds with customers that make them want to keep coming back.
These are just a couple of the success stories that prove you don’t need to be an ecommerce giant like Amazon to have success in the modern age. If anything, live streaming has levelled the playing field, and opened up more opportunities. Now, the focus will be on innovation, and how to push this medium forward. Some brands are already exploring ways to involve artificial intelligence, and other tech such as virtual reality could be integrated as well.
Ontario startups are proving that live streaming can be advantageous for smaller ecommerce companies who want to forge bonds with their clientele. With the region renowned for being a thriving tech hub, there’s likely to be plenty of innovation in live commerce coming from Ontario in the years ahead.
