Imagine three businesses standing at the starting line of a race. One arrives in a giant cargo jet. One shows up with a toolbox. The third rolls in on a motorcycle carrying a map of Latin America.

Online shopping has changed how people buy almost everything. Consumers can order groceries, electronics, clothing, furniture, and household items with a few taps on a smartphone. Convenience has made e-commerce a permanent part of modern life.

A customer in Brazil can buy products from China. A shopper in Germany can purchase from a seller in the United States. A small business in Vietnam can reach buyers across multiple continents.