Fast Simon Benchmarking Report: Industry Performance Analysis 2025
This Benchmarking Report shows the effect that using an AI based eCommerce optimization platform can enhance your business outcomes.
Updated July 3, 2025.
Introduction
In 2025, the eCommerce industry is more saturated and competitive than ever. With consumer expectations at an all time high, offering a sub-par eCommerce experience is not an option. Especially when it comes to specific industries, if your site isn’t offering the best around, shoppers will go elsewhere.
The growth in AI technology has had a huge impact on the eCommerce sphere. Shoppers are looking for personalization, chat technology and merchandising capacities that are tailored to them. AI’s prominence is seen blooming throughout our society and eCommerce is no exception.
Particularly in certain industries such as fashion, beauty and wellness, the effects of an AI based solution can be seen to have hugely beneficial results.
In order to keep up with industry standards it’s important to understand how your performance stacks up to the overall landscape.
The data contained in this report will help you to understand the ways in which utilizing an AI based eCommerce optimization platform affects your sales. By assessing key performance benchmarks across various eCommerce verticals, you will be able to understand how your metrics compare to industry standards.
The Impact Of Site Search
Site Search is one of the most powerful tools any eCommerce merchant can have. From ensuring sales with high-intent shoppers, to inspiring sales from first-time browsers, the potential is huge. Having an easily navigable eCommerce site is one of the first rules of success, the site search bar plays into this.
Having an AI backed site search takes things to the next level. This is because it can offer personalized results and filters within the search as well as merchandising within the search. This is useful for both merchants and shoppers.
The Impact Of Smart Navigation
Smart navigation, or Collections, refers to advanced features and technologies that enhance overall UX. Collections can be backed by AI to provide an optimized eCommerce experience. For example, smart filters go beyond the standard filter offerings, expanding into detailed categories related to the products being sold. With AI, smart filters can also be adjusted based on users’ past behavior on site, so the filters are personalized to them.
Personalization through AI means that shoppers are shown recommendations and products relevant to them within Collections. Smart search can also provide these personalized offerings, and combine merchant goals with customer intent.
The Industries
Fashion & Apparel - Clothing
- Average CVR: 2.79%
- Average Search CVR: 7.12%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 52%
- AOV: $165
The fashion industry is one of the most competitive in eCommerce — and success hinges on how well shoppers can navigate your site. Our data shows that conversion rates from search are 3x higher than those without it, and smart navigation consistently drives more revenue per session.
In fashion, with its vast range of SKUs and product variants, advanced search is critical. Without it, shoppers simply can’t find what they’re looking for — and they won’t convert.
Fashion & Apparel - Shoes
- Average Conversion Rate: 5.62%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 7.29%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 41%
- AOV: $146
In the competitive shoes market, search plays a critical role in driving revenue. Our data shows that a large share of sales comes directly from search navigation — especially from high-intent shoppers.To convert that intent, basic keyword search isn’t enough.
AI-powered tools like Vector Search allow shoppers to find the right product regardless of the terms they use — even enabling image-based, multimodal search. By removing friction and focusing on shopper intent, these advanced solutions boost both conversions and profitability.
Beauty
- Average Conversion Rate: 5.32%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 12.24%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 84.55%
- AOV: $160
The beauty industry is another field where it can be a challenge to make your mark. The search contribution to revenue here clearly makes a huge difference. In an industry where there are so many products, and so many of them are highly specific, it’s not surprising that shoppers need a site search solution.
From thousands of SKU’s, each with specific names, if shoppers aren’t able to use search to navigate a site, they will be unlikely to make any purchase.
Toys & Games
- Average Conversion Rate: 4.13%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 8%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 80.57%
- AOV: $103
The Toys & Games Industry is one filled with vast numbers of products and SKUs. This explains these data findings that having an optimized site search boosts conversion rates and highly contributes to the overall revenue.
If the site search is not optimized, for example, being supported by AI and Machine Learning features such as: Multimodal Search, natural language processing, and Merchandising within search. Then the overall sales of toys and games companies would not be as high. Being able to personalize and tailor onsite journeys to customers will lead to high revenue.
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Tools & Home Improvement
- Average Conversion Rate: 2.4%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 6.9%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 53.99%
- AOV: $1053
With a growing shift toward DIY, Tools & Home Improvement shoppers rely on effective site navigation to find what they need. In a category filled with technical specs and SKUs, advanced search is critical.
Our data shows that search drives 54% of revenue, with a 6.9% conversion rate — almost triple the average. Search powered by natural language and intent, helps users find products even without exact terms, leading to more results, higher AOV ($1,053), and more sales.
Sports & Outdoors
- Average Conversion Rate: 3.74%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 8.83%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 55.06%
- AOV: $159
In Sports & Outdoors, personalization is everything. Shoppers’ needs vary by sport, season, age, gender, and preference, and without smart navigation, it's nearly impossible to meet those expectations at scale.
Personalized filters, merchandising, and intent-driven search aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential to converting diverse shoppers into buyers.
Pet Supplies
- Average Conversion Rate: 7.01%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 14.57%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 61.3%
- AOV: $100
As pet owners grow more health-conscious, the booming pet supplies industry is seeing a surge in eCommerce. Convenience, fast delivery, and easy product browsing make online shopping the preferred choice.
Search drives 61.3% of revenue and more than doubles the conversion rate (14.57% vs. 7.01%). With loyal customers often repurchasing favorite items, a fast, intuitive search experience is key to capturing repeat sales and boosting AOV ($100).
Office Products
- Average Conversion Rate: 5.66%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 10.48%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 60.55%
- AOV: $258
Office products will be very specific based on the company buying products. It’s a market that sees a lot of repeat orders, and lifetime customers if expectations are met. Therefore having an optimized eCommerce platform to facilitate sales and help customers navigate your site well is very important.
As we can see, the average search conversion rate is double that of without search. Allowing high intent or returning customers to source their products seamlessly and quickly is crucial.
Patio, Lawn & Garden
- Average Conversion Rate: 2%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 8.94%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 49.27%
- AOV: $391
The Patio, Lawn & Garden industry sees a huge increase in average search conversion rates compared to average conversion rates. This may be as a result of customers having specific needs and requests when it comes to the outdoor furniture or products they are purchasing.
We can see this through the search rate contribution to revenue being almost half of all revenue. Having an optimized, AI backed, intent driven search is therefore key.
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Jewelry
- Average Conversion Rate: 2.88%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 9.13%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 31.34%
- AOV: $1341
With an AOV of $1,341, the jewelry industry is highly lucrative — but high-ticket sales demand trust. An optimized, polished site experience signals credibility and helps convert cautious shoppers.
Search is a major driver here, with a 9.13% conversion rate, more than 3x the average. Paired with curated collections and smart navigation, it supports seasonal merchandising and brand storytelling — all essential to turning browsers into buyers.
Industrial & Scientific
- Average Conversion Rate: 2.9%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 5.3%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 50%
- AOV: $1490
In the Industrial & Scientific space, 50% of revenue comes from search — proving how essential it is for discovery. With thousands of SKUs and highly specific needs, shoppers need an intuitive way to find what they're looking for.
Natural language search and Vector Search are game changers here. They help users who may not know exact terms by interpreting intent, not just keywords. The result: faster journeys, higher accuracy, and increased sales, with search conversion rates reaching 5.3%.
Home & Kitchen
- Average Conversion Rate: 1.91%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 6.73%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 61.75%
- AOV: $234
Using search to help navigate home & kitchen products triples the conversion rate from the average conversion rate. We can see that there is a huge increase in sales made from shoppers who are utilizing the search function.
Being able to offer smart navigation and personalized collections pages also means that each customer can benefit from a tailored online experience that fits their needs. This will boost both customer satisfaction, and boost sales.
Health & Personal Care
- Average Conversion Rate: 5.98%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 14.63%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 32.88%
- AOV: $69
With wellness spending on the rise, the Health & Personal Care category is booming — and now is the time to capitalize. An AI-optimized storefront is key, as search converts at 14.63%, more than 2x the average rate.
Shoppers in this space often return for repeat purchases, making personalization, smart filters, and tailored collections critical for loyalty and ease of navigation. With nearly 33% of revenue driven by search, optimized discovery directly impacts performance.
Grocery & Gourmet Food
- Average Conversion Rate: 5.51%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 12.25%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 51.14%
- AOV: $74
As more shoppers turn to eCommerce for groceries, fast, accurate search is essential. With over 51% of revenue driven by search and a 12.25% search conversion rate, it’s clear that optimized discovery fuels performance.
Food preferences are personal — and shoppers expect to find exactly what they want. Vector and multimodal search let users search in their own way, whether with natural language or images, creating a faster, more relevant experience that drives results.
Electronics
- Average Conversion Rate: 2.63%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 5.15%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 44.57%
- AOV: $254
In electronics, shoppers rely on research and comparison — making smart navigation and organized collections essential. With a wide range of product types and specs, helping users explore efficiently benefits both customers and merchants.
Search plays a major role here: it drives 45% of revenue and more than doubles the conversion rate (5.15% vs. 2.63%). A well-optimized search experience ensures shoppers find the right product fast — boosting conversions and increasing AOV ($254).
Collectibles & Fine Art
- Average Conversion Rate: 3.27%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 6.67%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 54.08%
- AOV: $132
In Collectibles & Fine Art, search converts at 2x the average rate, showing how vital a seamless discovery experience is. Smart navigation also drives strong revenue, making AI-optimized collections, personalization, and smart filters essential.
The smoother the journey, the more likely shoppers are to convert — especially in a category built on passion and precision.
Automotive
- Average Conversion Rate: 2.23%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 5.80%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 51.74%
- AOV: $262
In the automotive industry, search is essential — with a 5.8% search conversion rate, more than double the general rate (2.23%). Shoppers here are high-intent, often looking for specific parts or products tied to their vehicle, making precision and speed critical.
Search accounts for over 51% of revenue, highlighting the importance of a personalized, AI-powered experience. Features like smart filters, intent-based results, and merchandising within search are no longer optional — they’re key to driving performance and increasing AOV ($262).
Arts, Crafts & Sewing
- Average Conversion Rate: 4.31%
- Average Search Conversion Rate: 9.08%
- Search Revenue Contribution: 72.98%
- AOV: $135
In Arts, Crafts & Sewing, nearly 73% of revenue comes from search — making optimized site search non-negotiable. With every project requiring specific tools and materials, shoppers need confidence they can find what they need fast.
Search converts at over 2x the average rate. A seamless, reliable experience builds trust — and keeps creative customers coming back.
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
This eCommerce Benchmark Report provides valuable insights into industry performance and key metrics. By understanding these benchmarks, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your eCommerce strategy. Use this report as a starting point for further analysis and implement data- driven changes to drive growth and success.
Next Steps:
- Analyze Your Data: Compare your performance against industry benchmarks.
- Identify Opportunities: Pinpoint areas where you can improve your metrics.
- Implement Strategies: Develop and execute strategies to optimize your eCommerce operations.
- Track Your Progress: Continuously monitor your performance and make adjustments as needed.
