Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings, the online retail market has continued to grow. This is evident especially in the UK where ecommerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.
Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to “buy online, pick up in stores”. This is a change in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
There’s no denying that retail sales online have grown substantially in the UK in recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach almost $120 billion next year. This is because of shifting consumer habits and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as customers increasingly turn to online retailers.
With this in mind, it’s essential for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. We’ve compiled statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and revealing to help you.
Of all the retail industries, fashion is the most sought-after and accounts for 28% of all e-commerce sales in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a wider range of merchandise and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is second with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is due to the constant demand for new technology, as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technologies. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all online sales.
When asked what drives shoppers to shop online 57 percent of UK customers cited convenience as the main reason. This is followed by 48% who mentioned price comparison, and 37% who stated they were seeking special deals or discounts. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a large product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is becoming part of daily life for many UK customers. About half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase online in the past year. With a wide variety of payment options available, shoppers can also choose the best time and method for their items to be delivered.
Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons why shoppers shop online. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online cite convenience as the main motive behind their shopping. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices while 37% cited a wider variety of options.
UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious in their shopping online. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may even take action if they think their purchases aren’t coming in environmentally friendly packaging.
In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few customers are also seeking to make their shopping experience more personal. For example, 35% of UK customers have bought clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This lets them avoid the return process and get what they want faster.
Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more willing to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This may be because they are more used to the longer delivery times and have a better understanding of how long it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age range
Online shopping in the UK is a very popular pastime for a large number of people. The most popular purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries, and finally media like movies and music. Online shopping is very popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.
It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand the demographics their customers are seeking when purchasing products. In addition, it is also important to be aware of how much time each age group is spending shopping online. For instance, the younger generation is far more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation however tend to have more conservative buying habits and are less swayed by the online ads. They are also more likely to visit high street stores to look at and feel items before making an purchase. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t shop online because the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping remains very appealing to them.
Another important aspect to consider when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and demand free shipping on all their purchases. In addition, they are more likely to abandon their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are too high. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say they’ll add more items to their shopping carts in order to reach the threshold of free delivery.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
Both genders in the UK are equally likely to purchase products online. However, women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups are also more likely to purchase fashion, health and beauty, 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 shoppers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of consumers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local community.
The most popular online Shopping figures uk shopping products in the UK are shoes and clothing. In fact, 62% of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. However, online sales aren’t restricted to the clothing sector with a wide range of other products on sale, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports goods.
Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular to find best online shopping sites for clothes bargains. Some analysts believe that by 2024, the sales from e-commerce could be almost one third of retail sales.
While some retailers are struggling to keep up with the growth in online shopping, mspeech.kr other are thriving. Online sales are increasing in health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronics.
The trend for buying online for these items is expected to continue expand in the years ahead. As the number of people who use the internet is growing it is anticipated that online shopping will be more popular in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it’s crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they provide a secure and easy checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK, by region
The UK is a major European online retail market. When it comes to online shopping the customers of the UK are influenced primarily by price, convenience and the wide variety of products. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to improve their online presence and provide a seamless shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales increased dramatically as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases. This trend has continued after the pandemic, as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.
Online shopping is a major portion of the UK retail market, with some estimates suggesting that it could account for three-quarters of all retail sales in 2024. This is because of the increasing use of e-commerce by customers and technological advances.
57 percent of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who highlight that it is easier to discover special deals and offers, and 37% who claim that there’s a wider selection of products that are available online. In Europe the majority of consumers cite lower prices as a major reason for them to purchase online.
Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. About 25% of online shoppers have bought products they have never bought on the high-street before, and half are willing to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have made use of this option in the last year.
Additionally an effective return policy is a vital aspect of the e-commerce environment in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) will check a retailer’s returns policy before purchasing, and more than half will expect the seller to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.