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 retail sales.
Online shopping is a popular way for consumers to explore brands and purchase. 45% of customers prefer to “buy online and then pick it up in-store”. This is an interesting change in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
There’s no denying that online sales of merchandise have risen significantly in the UK in recent years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is driven by shifting consumer habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and online shopping Figures Uk mortar shops are losing popularity as more customers prefer online retailers for their purchases.
With this in mind, it’s essential for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to know what motivates shoppers to buy online. We’ve put together statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and revealing to help you.
Of all the sectors of retail that are available, fashion is the most well-known, accounting for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the wide range of merchandise and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is the second most popular with 16% of all online sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new gadgets and the need to keep up with the latest technology. Leisure and hobbies are also a favorite purchase online, accounting for 15% of all online sales.
When asked about the factors that drive consumers to shop online, 57% of UK consumers cited convenience as the main reason. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison and 37% indicated they were seeking special discounts or offers. These results suggest that consumers in the UK are less influenced by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a large variety of products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping has become a daily part of the lives of many UK residents. Whether it’s to buy electronic gadgets, groceries, or fashion – almost half of UK residents over 65 have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide range of payment options available customers can also decide how and when they want their items to be delivered.
There are many motives to shop online among them, the most popular are convenience price, availability, and price. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online say that convenience is the primary reason for their shopping habits. Another 48% of them cited lower prices and 37% said they have a wider selection of choices.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They might even take action if they believe that their packages are not coming in environmentally friendly packaging.
Some customers are looking to make their online shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also reduce their carbon footprint. For instance 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothes, footwear, or accessories from a retailer with their size information stored on the file. This lets them bypass the return process and Online shopping Figures uk get what they want faster.
Interestingly, 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 used to the slower delivery times and have a better understanding of how long it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on age group
Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media such as music and movies. Online shopping online uk is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for consumers. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these types of purchases.
It is crucial to understand that online shoppers come from a variety of backgrounds. This makes it essential for ecommerce companies to understand the type of customer they are searching for when buying products. It is also important to understand how much time each segment of customers spends online. The younger generation, for instance, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other group. This is because this age group is very time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation on the other hand tend to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less swayed by advertisements on the internet. They also tend to visit high street stores to look at and feel items before making a purchase. However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t buy online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is extremely appealing to them.
Another important aspect to take into consideration when it is about online shopping is that older generation is more likely to demand and expect free delivery on all of their purchases. Additionally they are more likely to abandon their carts when they believe that shipping costs are excessive. In addition, 61% of over 55s say they’ll add more items to their carts to get the threshold of free delivery.
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 gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics products.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have revealed that 70% of shoppers are influenced by how a company responded to the COVID-19 epidemic, with 69% of them seeking out brands that are supportive of and are in close contact with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are among the most requested items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62% examples of online products female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. Online sales are not only limited to clothing. Other items like kitchenware, jewelry, and sports items are also available.
Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular to find the most affordable deals. Some analysts estimate that by 2024 ecommerce sales could account for nearly a third of retail sales.
Some retailers are struggling with the growth of online shopping, while others are prospering. Online sales are growing in health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronic.
The trend for buying these items online is expected to continue expand in the years ahead. As the number of internet users is growing it is anticipated that online shopping will become more popular in the future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also offer a simple and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is among the leading European online marketplaces. The majority of its customers are influenced the convenience, affordability and wide range of products when they shop online. These factors make it a perfect location for retailers to build their online presence and offer an easy Online shopping figures uk shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as consumers chose safer and more convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to use online shopping as an attractive alternative.
Shopping online is a significant part of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it could make up a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the increasing adoption of e-commerce by consumers as well as technological advancements.
57 percent of UK online shoppers believe that convenience is the primary reason why they shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who state that it is easier to find special offers and deals as well as 37% who claim that there’s a wider selection of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe where a higher proportion of shoppers stated lower prices as the key driver for their decision to shop online.
The online shoppers are also keen to try new brands and products. Online consumers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of consumers are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of online shoppers have used this option during the last year.
A strong online return policy for the UK is also a crucial aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online buyers (59 percent) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior purchasing, and a majority will expect the seller to be responsible for both organizing and paying for return shipping.