7 Repeat Purchase Rate Statistics For eCommerce Stores

Francesco Gatti
April 20, 2025

Repeat purchase rate is a crucial metric for eCommerce businesses looking to build sustainable growth. This key performance indicator measures the percentage of customers who come back to make additional purchases from your store after their initial transaction. The average repeat customer rate in eCommerce ranges from 15-30%, with significant variations across different industries and product categories.

Understanding your store's repeat purchase rate helps you gauge customer loyalty and the effectiveness of your retention strategies. For marketers, improving this metric can dramatically increase revenue, as returning customers typically spend more per order and cost less to maintain than acquiring new ones. A healthy repeat purchase rate indicates strong customer satisfaction and can significantly boost your store's profitability over time.

1) Average repeat purchase rate in ecommerce is approximately 28.2%

The average ecommerce repeat purchase rate stands at 28.2%, meaning just over a quarter of customers return for additional purchases. This benchmark gives marketers a clear target to measure their retention efforts against.

This statistic holds steady across multiple industry studies. Brands with rates below this threshold may need to examine their retention strategies more closely.

Different product categories and business models can affect this number. For instance, consumable products typically see higher repeat rates than durable goods with longer replacement cycles.

Marketers should track their repeat customer rate over time to identify trends and measure the effectiveness of retention campaigns. Small improvements in this metric can significantly impact revenue and profitability.

2) Repeat customer rates typically range from 15% to 30% depending on industry

The average repeat customer rate in ecommerce falls between 15% and 30%, but this metric varies significantly across different retail categories.

Industries selling consumable products tend to perform better on this metric. Grocery, pet supplies, and health products typically see higher repeat purchase numbers because customers naturally need to restock these items.

In contrast, businesses selling high-ticket items like furniture, luxury goods, and electronics generally experience lower repeat purchase frequencies. These products have longer replacement cycles, reducing repeat purchase opportunities.

Marketers should benchmark their repeat customer rates against industry-specific standards rather than overall averages to gain meaningful insights.

3) A rate above 20% is generally considered normal for online stores

For eCommerce businesses, knowing what constitutes a healthy repeat purchase rate is essential for measuring success. According to industry data, a good customer retention rate typically falls between 20% and 40% for most online stores.

This benchmark gives marketers a realistic target to aim for when developing retention strategies. Different product categories may see variations in this number, with consumable products naturally achieving higher rates than durable goods with longer replacement cycles.

Many successful ecommerce repeat purchase rates average around 28%, making this a solid performance indicator for marketing teams. Stores falling below the 20% threshold should consider examining their post-purchase experience and loyalty programs.

4) Consumable products like groceries often see higher repeat rates

Consumable products naturally lead to higher customer return rates compared to other product types. This is simply because customers need to replace these items regularly.

Grocery and food delivery businesses enjoy some of the strongest repeat purchase metrics in ecommerce. Research shows that about 40% of online grocery shoppers order every week, creating very high repeat engagement patterns.

Products that are frequently used or consumable tend to see higher repeat rates since customers naturally need to repurchase them. This creates predictable buying cycles marketers can leverage.

Marketers should focus on subscription models for consumable products to capitalize on these natural repurchase behaviors and increase customer lifetime value.

5) Around 25-30% returning customers is a good benchmark for ecommerce businesses

For marketers looking to measure success, having a clear benchmark for repeat purchases is essential. According to current data, most ecommerce businesses have 25-30% percent returning customers.

This figure represents a healthy balance between new customer acquisition and customer retention efforts. While the number varies by industry, it provides a solid target for marketing teams to aim for when evaluating their retention strategies.

The average repeat customer rate in ecommerce ranges from 15–30%, with consumables like groceries seeing higher rates than luxury goods or furniture retailers. This makes sense as lower-cost, frequently purchased items naturally drive more repeat business.

Marketing professionals should track this metric monthly to identify trends and adjust retention campaigns accordingly.

6) Repeat customers contribute nearly 50% of all ecommerce sales

The value of loyal shoppers cannot be overstated for online retailers. According to recent data, repeat customers make up 48% of all ecommerce transactions, making them nearly half of a store's revenue stream.

This statistic highlights why marketers should shift significant attention toward customer retention strategies rather than focusing solely on acquisition. While the industry average repeat customer rate sits at 28.2% for most online stores, top-performing businesses push this percentage much higher.

For marketers, this reveals a clear opportunity to boost revenue by nurturing existing customer relationships instead of constantly chasing new ones.

7) Stores with 40% repeat customers can generate 50% more revenue than those with 10%

The impact of repeat customers on revenue is significant. Businesses that maintain a 40% repeat customer rate typically see 50% more revenue than those with only 10% returning shoppers.

This revenue boost occurs because repeat customers generate 300% more revenue than first-time buyers. They require less marketing investment while spending more per transaction.

Marketers should focus on building customer retention strategies rather than solely pursuing new acquisitions. Simple tactics like personalized follow-ups and loyalty programs can help reach that crucial 40% threshold.

The math is clear - shifting resources toward customer retention delivers measurable revenue improvements with better ROI than constant acquisition efforts.

Repeat Purchase Rate in eCommerce

Repeat purchase rate serves as a critical metric for measuring customer loyalty and predicting long-term business success. It reveals how well your store converts one-time buyers into returning customers.

What RPR Means for Revenue

Repeat Purchase Rate (RPR) is a key performance indicator that measures the percentage of customers who return to make additional purchases from your online store. This metric directly reflects customer retention and loyalty in your eCommerce business.

For marketers, RPR provides crucial insights into how effectively your brand creates lasting relationships with customers beyond their initial purchase.

The industry benchmark for successful eCommerce brands typically falls between 25-30% of customers making repeat purchases. Businesses with higher rates often enjoy greater profitability since acquiring new customers costs 5-25 times more than retaining existing ones.

Low RPR numbers signal potential issues with product quality, customer experience, or post-purchase engagement strategies that need immediate attention.

RPR Calculation Methods

Calculating your store's repeat purchase rate uses a straightforward formula: divide the number of customers who made more than one purchase by the total number of unique customers, then multiply by 100.

RPR = (Number of Customers with Multiple Purchases ÷ Total Number of Unique Customers) × 100

For example, if your store had 1,000 customers last quarter and 250 made multiple purchases, your repeat purchase rate would be 25%.

Most eCommerce analytics platforms automatically track this metric, but you can also calculate it manually using customer transaction data from your sales database.

Time period matters when measuring RPR. Shorter timeframes might not capture the full customer lifecycle, while longer periods provide more accurate insights into purchasing patterns and loyalty trends.

Factors That Influence Repeat Purchase Rate

Several key elements determine whether customers will return to make additional purchases from your eCommerce store. These factors can be optimized by marketers to significantly improve customer retention rates.

Customer Experience and Loyalty Programs

Customer satisfaction directly impacts repeat purchases. Studies show that 86% of consumers will pay more for a better experience. When shoppers find your website intuitive and your customer service responsive, they're more likely to return.

Effective loyalty programs and incentives can boost your repeat purchase rate by 20-40%. These programs create value beyond the product itself by offering:

  • Points systems that reward frequent purchases
  • Tiered rewards that encourage higher spending
  • Exclusive access to new products
  • Birthday or anniversary perks

Personalization also plays a crucial role. Marketing emails with personalized product recommendations generate 26% higher open rates and drive repeat purchases by making customers feel understood.

Product Quality and Delivery

Product quality serves as the foundation for customer retention. When products consistently meet or exceed expectations, customers develop trust in your brand. This trust translates directly into higher repeat customer rates in ecommerce.

Delivery experience significantly impacts purchase decisions:

Delivery Factor                                                 Impact on Repeat Rate

Free shipping                                                        +20% increase

On-time delivery                                                   +15% increase

Easy returns                                                          +12% increase

Post-purchase communication matters too. Order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery notifications keep customers informed and reduce anxiety about their purchases.

Product categories also affect repeat rates naturally. Consumable products (like pet food or beauty items) generate higher repeat rates than durable goods (like furniture) due to their inherent replenishment cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ecommerce businesses track repeat purchase metrics closely to measure customer loyalty and business sustainability. These key indicators help stores evaluate performance against industry standards and identify growth opportunities.

What is considered a good repeat customer rate in eCommerce?

A good repeat customer rate for eCommerce businesses generally falls between 25-30%. This benchmark indicates healthy customer satisfaction and product-market fit.

The average eCommerce store sees repeat customer rates ranging from 15-30%, with significant variation across industries. Subscription-based models and consumable products typically achieve higher rates.

Rates above 20% are generally considered normal, while top-performing stores may reach 40% or higher.

How is the repeat purchase rate calculated for online stores?

The repeat purchase rate is calculated by dividing the number of customers who made more than one purchase by the total number of customers, then multiplying by 100.

For example, if you have 1,000 total customers and 280 made multiple purchases, your repeat purchase rate would be 28%.

Most eCommerce metrics systems track this automatically within specified time periods, such as monthly, quarterly, or annually.

What are the industry benchmarks for repeat purchase rates in eCommerce?

Industry benchmarks vary significantly based on product type, purchase frequency, and average order value.

Consumable products like groceries, beauty items, and pet supplies typically achieve rates of 30-45% due to natural replenishment cycles.

Fashion and apparel stores average 20-25%, while electronic and high-ticket items generally see lower rates of 10-15% due to longer replacement timelines.

How does the repeat purchase rate differ from customer retention rate?

Repeat purchase rate measures the percentage of customers who make multiple purchases, while customer retention rate tracks customers who remain active over a specific time period.

A customer might be "retained" (not churned) without making additional purchases during the measurement period.

Both metrics are complementary—repeat purchase provides insight into purchasing frequency, while retention focuses on overall relationship longevity.

What strategies can eCommerce stores implement to enhance their repeat purchase rate?

Implementing a structured loyalty program with tiered rewards can increase repeat purchases by 20-30% for many stores.

Post-purchase email sequences featuring personalized product recommendations based on previous buying behavior typically boost repeat rates by 10-15%.

Strategic discount timing, subscription options for consumables, and excellent customer service experiences also contribute to higher repeat purchase rates for online retailers.

What is the average returning customer rate for online retailers?

The average returning customer rate across eCommerce sectors is approximately 28.2%, though this figure represents a broad average.

Industry leaders and well-established brands with strong customer loyalty programs often achieve returning customer rates of 35-45%.

New stores typically see lower rates (10-15%) until they build customer trust and implement effective retention strategies.

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