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12 Email Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore
12 strategies to boost open rates, click-throughs, and conversions.

Hey there
Hello, and welcome back to another edition of eCommerce Alchemy - your one-stop destination for everything related to ecommerce growth.
We all know the average person sees hundreds of emails a day, so how do you make sure yours gets opened, clicked, and converted? You don’t just follow trends—you lead with them.
In this issue, we’re diving into 12 smart, effective, and totally doable strategies that’ll keep your eCommerce emails ahead of the game in 2025.
A Smarter Way to Boost Amazon Sales—Without Higher Ad Spend
Top Amazon sellers are adding affiliate marketing to the equation—driving external traffic from blogs, review sites, and creators, and only paying when it converts.
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✅ Lower ad spend
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Levanta made a free guide on how to get started, which networks to use, and finding affiliates that perform.
📰 Inside Today's Headlines
Walmart to Invest $6 Billion in Mexico Operations
Walmart is committing $6 billion to expanding its operations in Mexico. The investment includes opening new locations under its Bodega Aurrera, Sam’s Club, Walmart Supercenters, and Walmart Express brands. Read more
Barnes & Noble to Open Over 60 Stores in 2025
After years of limited growth, Barnes & Noble is ramping up its physical footprint. The retailer plans to open more than 60 new locations in 2025, following the 57 it opened last year. Full story
Google Ads Now Eligible for Both Top and Bottom Placement
Google has updated its ads policy, allowing relevant ads in the top auction to also participate in bottom ad auctions. The move is meant to reduce friction and increase ad relevance without violating its double serving rules. Details via Search Engine Land
Snack Brands Face Slowdown as Tariffs Bite
General Mills, Campbell's, and other major food companies are reporting slower snack sales, and the situation could worsen as tariffs push prices higher. Retailers are responding with deals on items like ice cream and chips. Full story
Foot Traffic Rises as Shoppers Stock Up Pre-Tariff
Retail foot traffic is rising as shoppers rush to buy both essentials and discretionary items before anticipated tariff-related price hikes hit. More from Modern Retail
Modern Retail Index Final Report Released
The third part of the Modern Retail Index explores how financial performance is influenced by e-commerce strategies and fulfillment execution, offering year-over-year insights. Explore the Index
Walmart Launches Beauty Bars in 40 Stores
As part of its Beauty Event (April 18–May 31), Walmart is testing “Beauty Bars” in 40 stores featuring trending brands, experts, and product samples. Full story here
Saks Global to Shut Down Fulfillment Center, Lay Off 450
Saks Global is closing its Tennessee fulfillment center, affecting 450 employees, according to a WARN notice filed with the state. Coverage
Etsy Encourages Buyers to Shop Local Amid Tariffs
Etsy is advising customers and sellers to buy and sell locally to avoid the impact of shifting U.S. trade policy and potential tariffs. Read more
Walmart to Use Geospatial Tech to Boost Delivery Reach
Walmart is integrating geospatial technology to enhance delivery mapping and expand the accessibility of its delivery services. Details via Retail Dive
Ikea Expands Small-Format Fleet with New Dallas Store
Ikea will open a 63,000-square-foot small-format store in Dallas later this year. It will carry around 3,200 products and marks the 11th store in Texas. More info here
For more updates and insights on the rapidly evolving e-commerce industry, stay tuned.
Top eCommerce Email Marketing Trends to Watch in 2025
1. Behavior-Based Content: The Power of Personalization
The days of sending one generic email to your entire list are over. In 2025, it’s all about using behavior-based triggers to send emails that respond to how customers interact with your brand.
What does this mean?
Instead of sending a generic offer, tailor your emails based on individual actions, like browsing products, adding items to their cart, or making previous purchases. For example, if a customer spends time on a product page, send them an email showcasing that product along with complementary items.
Why it works:
Behavior-based content is far more engaging and shows customers that you’re paying attention. It doesn’t just feel personal—it feels relevant, and that’s the key to boosting conversions.

2. Shoppable Emails: Make It Easy to Buy
Shoppable emails are becoming a must-have in 2025. With this feature, your subscribers can shop directly from the email, bypassing the need to click through to your website.
What to do:
Add interactive elements like carousels and product images that link directly to product pages.
Include “Add to Cart” buttons and even quick one-click purchasing options.
Why it works:
Shoppable emails reduce friction in the buying process. The easier you make it for your customers to purchase, the more likely they are to complete the transaction.

3. Real-Time Content: Keep Emails Fresh and Relevant
Customers don’t want to open an email for a deal that’s already expired. That’s where real-time content comes in. By adding live, real-time elements like countdown timers or up-to-the-minute inventory updates, you can create urgency and encourage faster action.
Examples include:
Showing live inventory counts or notifications about limited stock.
Adding countdown timers to flash sales or time-sensitive promotions.
Sending personalized offers based on current location, like discounts for nearby stores or events.
Why it works:
Real-time content increases the urgency of your emails, making them feel timely and actionable. It also helps create a sense of scarcity, which can drive quick purchasing decisions.

4. Segmentation by Buyer Journey, Not Just Demographics
Segmentation is a crucial part of email marketing, but focusing on demographics alone isn’t enough anymore. In 2025, it’s about segmenting your list by where customers are in their buying journey.
How to implement this:
Awareness Stage: Send educational content or introductory offers.
Consideration Stage: Share product reviews, comparison guides, and testimonials.
Decision Stage: Offer personalized discounts, bundles, and time-limited offers.
Why it works:
Targeting the right message to the right person at the right time makes your emails feel more relevant and more likely to convert.

5. Trigger Emails: Be Ready When Customers Are
Triggered emails are a powerful way to reach customers with timely, relevant messages based on their behavior. These emails are automatically sent when specific actions are taken, ensuring that your communication feels personal and timely.
Examples of trigger emails include:
Cart abandonment reminders with a special offer.
“We noticed you’ve been looking at this item” emails with product suggestions.
Order updates that let customers know when their package is on the way or when an item is back in stock.
Why it works:
Triggered emails capitalize on real-time behavior and allow you to deliver highly relevant content exactly when your customers need it.

6. Rich Media: Engage with Visuals
Email is a visual medium, and 2025 is all about using rich media to boost engagement. High-quality images, videos, and GIFs can help explain products more clearly and make your emails more eye-catching.
How to use rich media:
Showcase product demos via GIFs or videos.
Use carousel-style emails to highlight multiple products or angles.
Feature lifestyle images to help customers imagine how your product fits into their life.
Why it works:
Rich media helps increase engagement by making your emails more interactive and visually appealing, leading to higher open rates and click-through rates.

7. Subscription & Preference Management: Let Customers Choose
One way to avoid unsubscribes? Let your customers take control of their inbox preferences. By allowing subscribers to manage how often they hear from you and what kind of content they get, you can maintain better relationships with your audience.
What to offer:
Email frequency preferences (daily, weekly, monthly).
Content preferences (new arrivals, promotions, product updates).
Channel preferences (email, SMS, app notifications).
Why it works:
When customers have control over what they receive, they’re less likely to opt out entirely. Plus, it ensures you’re sending the right message to the right person at the right time.
8. Predictive Analytics: Know What’s Coming Next
Predictive analytics use customer data to forecast future behavior and send targeted offers or content that aligns with their needs before they even ask for it. For example, you can send personalized recommendations based on past purchases, or alert customers when their favorite product is back in stock.
How to implement:
Use data from browsing habits and past purchases to recommend new products.
Send seasonal or timely offers based on the customer's previous buying patterns.
Alert customers about new arrivals or discounts for items they’ve shown interest in before.
Why it works:
Predictive analytics makes your emails feel intuitive and helpful, not pushy or irrelevant. It shows that you’re anticipating their needs and can increase conversions.

9. Zero-Party Data: Get Direct Insights from Customers
Zero-party data refers to the information customers willingly share with you, like their preferences, wishlist items, or product interests. This is incredibly valuable because it allows you to tailor your emails even more precisely to their needs.
How to collect zero-party data:
Use surveys, quizzes, or polls to ask customers about their preferences.
Offer incentives for completing their profile or sharing preferences (e.g., a discount on their next order).
Track wishlist activity to anticipate future purchases.
Why it works:
By collecting and using zero-party data, you can send highly relevant emails that feel even more personalized and valuable to your customers.
10. User-Generated Content (UGC): Build Trust with Real Customers
In 2025, UGC is a powerful tool to build trust and social proof. Featuring real customer reviews, photos, and videos in your emails can increase credibility and drive more conversions.
How to use UGC:
Feature customer reviews or user photos in your product emails.
Include social media shoutouts or posts from happy customers.
Use video testimonials or unboxing experiences.
Why it works:
UGC makes your emails feel authentic, creating a connection between your brand and your customers. Plus, it shows potential buyers that real people trust and love your products.

11. Sustainability: Green Your Email Marketing
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. Customers care about the environmental impact of their purchases—and the same goes for emails. Reducing your digital footprint is something your brand can incorporate into your overall sustainability efforts.
Sustainable email practices include:
Optimizing email sizes by compressing images and reducing design complexity.
Sending fewer but more targeted emails (e.g., weekly digests instead of daily blasts).
Using email platforms that rely on renewable energy.
Why it works:
Sustainable practices resonate with eco-conscious customers and reflect your brand’s commitment to positive change.
12. Voice Search Optimization: Speaking the Future
Voice search is changing the way people shop and search online. Emails need to reflect natural, conversational language that’s optimized for voice searches.
How to optimize for voice:
Use natural language in subject lines, like “Where to find the best winter coat?”
Implement voice-enabled CTAs that work seamlessly with voice assistants.
Simplify your email copy to match the conversational tone of voice queries.
Why it works:
Voice search is becoming more mainstream, and adapting your emails to fit this technology will ensure you’re not left behind.
Final Thoughts
Email marketing in 2025 isn’t just about sending messages—it’s about sending the right messages, at the right time, in the right format. With these trends in mind, you can create more meaningful connections with your customers and drive higher engagement and sales.
Need help implementing these strategies? Feel free to reach out—we’d love to help you take your email marketing to the next level.
Tweet Spotlight
7 Types of Emails Every Ecom Store Should Send:
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— Chase Dimond | Email Marketing Nerd 📧 (@ecomchasedimond)
2:32 PM • Apr 21, 2025