Online Shopping Figures For the UK
The market for online retail has grown continuously since its humble beginnings. This is evident especially in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of all retail sales.
Shopping online is a popular method for consumers to explore brands and purchase. 45percent of consumers 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 pay attention to.
1. Online sales of retail in the UK
It's hard to deny that sales of online retail in the UK have risen significantly in the last few years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to grow to $120 billion in the next year. This growth is driven by changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more consumers prefer online stores for their purchases.
With this in mind, it's important for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. We've put together statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.
Fashion is the most popular retail industry in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to a wider selection of products that are available and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is due to the constant demand for new technology as well as the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Hobbies and leisure items are also a favorite purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison, and 37% who stated they were seeking special deals or discounts. 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 wide product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is becoming part of the daily routine for many UK consumers. Be it for groceries, electronics or clothes - nearly half of uk online shopping sites for mobile residents over 65 have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide range of payment options available, shoppers can also choose the time and date they would like their purchases to be delivered.
There are many motives for shoppers to shop online, some of the most popular include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% cite convenience as the primary reason for shopping online. Then, another 48% of them cited lower prices while 37% cited a wider selection of choices.
UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an environmentally friendly manner.
Certain consumers want to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also reduce their carbon footprint. For example 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer who stores their size information. This lets them avoid the return process and get what they want quicker.
It is interesting to know that UK customers are reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be because they are used to the slower delivery times and have a better understanding of the time it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK by the age group
Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by food items, 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. These events are extremely convenient for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.
It is important to note that online shoppers are diverse. This makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know what their target market is looking for when they purchase products. It is also important to know how much time each type of consumer spends online. The younger generation, for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than other groups. This is due to the fact that this age group is constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer visiting high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean that they won't buy online due to the convenience and ease of online shopping is very appealing to them.
Another interesting factor to consider when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to expect and expect free delivery on all purchases. Additionally, they are more likely to abandon their carts if they believe that shipping costs are too high. In addition, 61% of people over 55 say that they will add more items to their carts to meet the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK by gender
Men and women in the UK are equally likely to shop for products online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases like electrical and furniture. Both groups are more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics products.
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 those shoppers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local community.
Shoes and clothing are among the most requested items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 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 has become more popular for finding the best deals. Some analysts believe that by 2024, the sales from e-commerce could be nearly a third of retail sales.
While some retailers struggle to keep up with the growth in online sales, others are flourishing. Online sales are booming 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 coming years. As the number of people who use the internet is growing it is expected that online shopping will increase in popularity in the future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for online shopping figures uk retailers to ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices and offer an easy and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK, by region
The UK is a top European ecommerce market. When it comes to online shopping, the UK's consumers are influenced primarily by price, convenience and a variety of products. These factors make it a perfect place for retailers to build their online presence and offer a seamless online shopping experience.
In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to choose online shopping figures uk shopping as an attractive alternative.
Shopping online is a large part of the UK retail economy, with some estimates suggesting that it could account for three-quarters of all retail sales in 2024. This growth is a result of the increasing adoption of e-commerce by consumers as well as technological advances.
57% of UK online shoppers claim that convenience is the primary reason why they shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who say that it is easier to find special offers and deals as well as 37% of shoppers say there's a greater variety of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers cited lower prices as the key driver for their choice to shop online.
Online shoppers are also willing to try new products and brands. Online shoppers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of them are willing to try them when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have used this option in the last year.
Additionally an effective return policy is a crucial aspect of the ecommerce environment in the UK. A majority of online buyers (59 percent) check the return policy of the retailer prior to purchasing, and nearly half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.