Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings the market for online shopping has continued to grow. This is evident especially in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.
Many people shop online to research brands before purchasing and 45% of them prefer to “buy online, pick up in store”. This is an interesting shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should take note of.
1. Retail sales online in the UK
There’s no denying that online sales of merchandise have risen significantly in the UK over recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is set to hit almost $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is due to changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more shoppers are turning to online stores for their purchases.
To do this, it is important that both pureplay and omnichannel retailers know what drives consumers to shop online. We’ve collected statistics and figures for retail sales that are both eye opening and informative to assist you.
Of all the retail industries, fashion is the most sought-after and accounts for 28 percent of all sales on e-commerce in the UK. This is probably due to the wider range of products accessible and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without leaving the comfort of your home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new devices, as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technologies. Leisure and hobbies are also popular items to purchase online, accounting for 15% of all online sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% said they were seeking discounts or special offers. These results indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a broad product variety.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping is a common aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. More than half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. With a wide variety of payment methods available, shoppers can also choose the best time and method for their purchases to be delivered.
Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online say that convenience is the primary reason for their shopping habits. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices and 37% mentioned a greater variety of options.
Online shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For instance, 79 percent of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They could take action if their orders are not packaged in an environmentally green manner.
Certain consumers want to make their online shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, 35% of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who has their size information stored. This lets them skip the return process, and get what they need quicker.
Interestingly, UK customers are reported to be more likely to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that British consumers are more accustomed to the slower delivery time and are aware of how long it takes to receive an item through the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age group
Shopping online shopping figures Uk is extremely popular in the UK. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by groceries and then media such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the uk women’s online shopping websites, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these kinds of purchases.
It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know what their target market is looking for when purchasing products. Additionally, it is also important to be aware of the amount of time each age group spends shopping online. For instance, the younger generation is more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is because the younger generation has less time and will make use of multiple devices to complete online tasks.
The older generations are, however, likely to have more conservative buying habits and are less affected by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to go to shops in the high street to touch and feel products before making a decision. But this doesn’t mean they will not buy online because the convenience and ease of use of online shopping is very appealing to them.
Another important aspect to take into consideration when it comes to online shopping is that older generations are more likely to anticipate and expect free delivery on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping costs seem excessive. Additionally, 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their cart in order to meet a free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
In the UK both genders are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases like electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups are also more likely to purchase fashion as well as health and beauty as well as home and garden and consumer electronics.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of these consumers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local community.
The most popular online shopping items in the UK are shoes and clothing. In fact 62 percent of British women who shop online purchased these items by the year 2020. However the online sales don’t just apply to clothing and there are a myriad of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports equipment.
Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular to find best deals. In fact, some experts predict that online sales will account for nearly 1/3 of all retail sales in 2024.
Some retailers are struggling with the rising popularity of online shopping while others are thriving. Particularly the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty, home and gardening and consumer electronics.
In the future, online shopping for Online Shopping Uk Cheap these products is expected to increase. As the number of internet users continues to grow it is anticipated that online shopping will increase in popularity in the future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants should ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide an easy and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is a top European online marketplace. When shopping online the British consumers are influenced primarily by price, convenience, and the variety of items. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and offer a seamless shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales increased dramatically as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued following the pandemic as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.
Shopping online is a large component of the UK retail industry There are estimates that it could account for a third of all retail sales in 2024. This growth is driven by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advances in technology.
57 percent of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the main reason for them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who say that it is easier to find special offers and deals and 37% who say there’s a greater variety of merchandise available online shopping top 7. In Europe, a higher proportion of shoppers cite lower prices as a major factor for their decision to buy online.
Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Online shoppers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of them are willing to do so when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have made use of this option in the past year.
In addition to this, a robust online return policy is a vital aspect of the ecommerce landscape in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) check the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and more than half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for return shipping.
