Trends Report 2026: AI, subscriptions and digital payments reshape Asia Pacific e-commerce

New DHL eCommerce survey reveals gap between AI usage and trust, rising demand for subscription models, as well as openness towards more digital payment options

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 July 2026 - E-commerce across Asia Pacific is entering a new phase of maturity, as both online shoppers and businesses rapidly adopt modern technologies. Three forces are reshaping the region's digital marketplace: rising demand for AI-driven shopping experiences, growing appetite for subscription models and expanding payment flexibility. This is according to DHL eCommerce's latest global survey conducted among online shoppers and businesses from Australia, China, India, Malaysia and Thailand.

"As digital lifestyles continue to evolve across Asia Pacific, innovation in e-commerce will accelerate in ways we cannot fully predict today," said Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce. "What is clear is that shopper expectations will continue to rise. A seamless, intuitive and personalized experience remains fundamental to engaging customers. But the real opportunity lies in bridging any gaps, particularly around trust, convenience and choice for long-term loyalty."

AI adoption surges but gap remains between usage and trust
Across Asia Pacific, AI adoption is already gaining traction among both shoppers and businesses. Around 40% of shoppers have used AI-powered tools such as chatbots and virtual assistants for customer service or to obtain recommendations as part of their online shopping journey. This number is set to rise with another 37% stating that they would like to use AI tools in the future for these purposes, highlighting a strong appetite for more personalized and intuitive experiences.

Businesses show strong adoption, with 80% indicating that they are currently using AI across their e-commerce platforms. In particular, the top two business use cases of AI are to offer personalized and tailored recommendations to their online customers, and to conduct product reviews or image comparison. In fact, digitally fluent customers and advanced commercial ecosystems are underlying determinants of Asia Pacific businesses' strong ability to lead the development of agentic commerce.

Looking ahead, companies overwhelmingly expect AI usage to increase further over the next five years, particularly across forecasting of future trends, virtual try-ons, and fraud detection.

However, a clear gap between trust and usage towards AI is emerging. While shoppers are actively using AI tools today, their willingness to let AI make purchasing decisions remains mixed, with concerns around privacy and accuracy cited by 62% and 50% of respondents, respectively. Their concerns are also mirrored among businesses.

Subscription models gain momentum, especially for delivery and returns
Demand for subscription-based shopping experience is growing across Asia Pacific, with a large majority of respondents indicating that they already hold at least one product subscription. Among them, 35% have three or more product subscriptions. Discounted or preferential pricing as well as loyalty rewards are the top two motivators of product subscriptions.

Additionally, intent is rising sharply particularly for logistics-related subscriptions. Across the region, 61% of shoppers in Australia, 32% in China, 52% in India, 47% in Malaysia, and 42% in Thailand say that they subscribe to at least one delivery and returns program. There is also a likelihood that more will be a "logistics-subscription convert" as one in two reported that they would consider subscribing to one over the next five years.

Correspondingly, 71% of Asia Pacific businesses already offer a subscription-based delivery and returns model, and 21% intend to do so within the next five years. Such models are expected to focus on benefits such as discounted pricing, priority service, greater flexibility and loyalty rewards, aligning closely with shopper motivations.

Payments expand to meet demand for speed, choice and convenience
Payment ecosystems across the Asia-Pacific region are evolving rapidly, with strong alignment between consumer preferences and business offerings. Shoppers across the region continue to transact online using credit/debit cards and digital wallets, while adoption of newer options such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), cryptocurrency and biometric authentication is steadily increasing. This trend is particularly pronounced in markets such as China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand, where mobile-first commerce is driving the growth of digital payment solutions.

Fueled by a mobile-first consumer base, Asia Pacific businesses are already offering a range of payment methods, including digital wallets, BNPL, and biometric checkout, with the aim of reducing checkout friction and improving conversion rates.

About the DHL eCommerce Trends Report 2026
The DHL eCommerce Trends Report 2026 surveyed 29,000 consumers and 5,800 businesses across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. By combining shopper and business perspectives into a single unified view, the report provides practical insights to help e-commerce brands respond to evolving operational demands.
Hashtag: #DHLeCommerce #ecommercetrends #digitalpayments #AI #subscriptions

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DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivaled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

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New e-commerce trends revealed by DHL eCommerce Trends Report

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 July 2026 - Through the successful development and operation of an internationally recognized integrated urban ecosystem on a significant nationwide scale, Vinhomes (ticker: VHM) has established itself as one of Vietnam's largest and most established long-term real estate development platforms, attracting growing interest from international institutional investors.

As of December 31, 2025, Vinhomes manages and operates 32 urban developments across eight provinces and cities in Vietnam, serving more than 650,000 residents across over 168,000 apartments, villas, and townhouses, with synchronized management standards and operational quality.

A global shift in investment capital from speculative projects toward developers with proven long-term execution capabilities is imposing stricter standards on the real estate sector. In this context, Vinhomes has emerged as a notable player, distinguished by its ability to deliver large-scale projects and sustain vibrant, long-lasting communities through three core pillars: the capability to deliver large-scale integrated townships; the ability to standardize and replicate successful models nationwide; and a commitment to creating sustainable, internationally benchmarked living environments.

Delivering Large-Scale Integrated Townships Through a Synchronized Operational Ecosystem

Strong project delivery capability, supported by the broader Vingroup ecosystem, helps Vinhomes mitigate long-term operational risks for investors.

Since 2018, Vinhomes has concentrated on developing internationally benchmarked integrated townships, typically exceeding 300 hectares in strategic locations. The key differentiator of these projects is the integration of residential spaces with comprehensive infrastructure, including commercial, educational, healthcare, transportation, and public facilities.

The success of this model is reinforced by the multi-industry ecosystem of parent company Vingroup. Residents of Vinhomes have access to services from Vincom shopping malls, Vinmec international hospitals, Vinschool campuses, VinUniversity, the VinBus electric bus network, V-GREEN charging infrastructure, Vinpearl resorts, golf courses, convention centers, VinWonders entertainment complexes, and the Green SM (GSM) mobility network.

In addition, professional 24/7 property management services, robust security systems, meticulous landscaping maintenance, and hospitality-style residential services help Vinhomes assets maintain their value and operate smoothly over the long term.

Standardizing and Replicating Urban Development Models on a Nationwide Scale

Vinhomes has developed strong organizational capabilities that enable it to institutionalize complex urban development processes and maintain consistent quality across different regions.

While many real estate companies maintain strengths only in specific local markets, Vinhomes has demonstrated the ability to establish a strong presence across most major cities and strategic provinces from the north to the south of Vietnam. Capital allocation, construction management, infrastructure integration, and community management have been standardized into scalable, repeatable processes.

Marc Townsend, Senior Advisor at Arcadia Consulting Vietnam Co., Ltd., observed:

"If one were to name the most instantly recognizable real estate brand in Vietnam, it would undoubtedly be Vingroup, and more specifically, Vinhomes, whose position clearly stands above the rest of the market. The reason is straightforward. Vingroup and Vinhomes are organizations that consistently deliver on what they commit to... They possess the ability to execute projects at a truly national scale, from north to south, something very few developers can claim."

This geographic diversification not only helps Vinhomes mitigate market cycle risks but also positions the company to capture Vietnam's strong urbanization wave, a key factor providing resilience for foreign capital seeking long-term investment assets.

Creating Internationally Benchmarked Urban Platforms to Meet Long-Term Investment Demand

Vinhomes' focus on creating sustainable living environments distinguishes the company as a developer of urban platforms with international potential.

Whether serving the social housing segment or premium mixed-use developments, Vinhomes maintains a consistent objective: creating high-quality living environments where infrastructure development goes hand-in-hand with civilized residential communities.

Rather than merely selling individual properties, the company focuses on building complete urban ecosystems and committing to long-term community management. This structured approach aligns with the rigorous criteria of global financial institutions, which prioritize three factors: demonstrated execution capability, extensive operational experience, and the ability to integrate complex mixed-use developments with modern transportation infrastructure.

With a solid foundation established through a series of large-scale projects, Vinhomes not only maintains its leading position in the domestic market but also serves as a trusted strategic partner, offering global investors access to Vietnam's strong economic growth potential.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

https://vinhomes.vn/en

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Vinhomes

Vinhomes is Vietnam's largest residential real estate and integrated township developer. The company pioneers the development of synchronized, modern large-scale townships, delivering premium living standards and unlocking sustainable investment opportunities for domestic and international clients.

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Vinhomes Green Paradise.