Online Shopping Figures For the UK
The market for online retailers has grown continuously since its humble beginnings. This is particularly evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of retail sales.
Online shopping is a popular way for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. About 45% of them prefer to "buy online and pick up in store". This is an interesting change in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should pay attention to.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's no secret that sales of online retail in the UK have grown significantly over the past few years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C online market is expected to reach $120 billion in the next year. This increase is the result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more consumers turn to online retailers for their purchases.
To do this, it's essential that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. To help you do this, we've created an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening as well as informative.
Fashion is the most favored retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to a wider selection of merchandise accessible and the convenience of being in a position to try on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is second, with 16% of the sales made through e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and the desire to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also a favorite purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked what drives consumers to shop online, 57% of UK consumers cited convenience as the primary driver. Then, 48% cited price comparison while 37% said they were looking for discounts or special deals. These findings indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused upon convenience and a wide product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online has become a daily part of life for many UK residents. Be it for electronics, groceries or even clothes - more than half of UK residents over 65 have made a purchase online in the past year alone. Shoppers can i buy from a uk website pick from a wide range of payment options, and decide when and how their products delivered.
Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact, 57% of best online shopping sites for clothes shoppers say that convenience is the primary motive behind their shopping. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as a benefit and 37% noted a wider range of options as well.
Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more eco-conscious. 79% of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They could take action if their orders are not packaged in a sustainable ecologically friendly way.
In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few customers are also seeking to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For instance 35% of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, or accessories from a retailer with their size information stored on file. This lets them skip the return process and get what they want quicker.
It is interesting to note that UK shoppers 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 know the length of time it takes to receive an item in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with the age group
Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most sought-after purchases followed by groceries and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is very popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These sales are extremely convenient for consumers. It is also simple to compare prices and items online shopping Figures uk when making these kinds of purchases.
It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are diverse, which makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are looking for when they purchase products. It is also essential to know how much time each type of consumer spends online. For example, 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 uses a variety of devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertising. They also tend to visit high street stores to look at and feel products prior to making an purchase. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still appealing.
A second interesting factor to take into consideration when shopping online is that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and demand free shipping on all their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts when shipping costs appear excessive. In addition 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their cart in order to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
Men and women in the UK are equally likely to purchase products on the internet. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases, such as electrical and furniture. Both groups are more likely to buy fashion, home and garden products as well as consumer electronics and health and beauty products.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to research 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of those shoppers searched for brands that were supportive and were in close contact with their local community.
Clothing and shoes are the most popular products to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of British women who shop online will purchase these items by 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to clothing and there are a myriad of other items available, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports goods.
This is why online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to find the most affordable prices on these items. Some experts estimate that by 2024 ecommerce sales could account for nearly a third of retail sales.
While some retailers struggle to keep up with the growth in online shopping, other are thriving. In particular, online sales are booming for health, fashion, beauty as well as gardening and home and consumer electronic.
In the future the online shopping market for these items is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people having access to the internet growing it is expected that more and customers will opt for online shopping in the near future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also offer an easy and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK, by region
The UK is a major European online marketplace. Its consumers are influenced by the convenience, affordability and vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it a perfect location for retailers to invest in their online presence and provide an effortless shopping experience online.
During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as consumers chose safer and more convenient options for shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to use online shopping as a viable alternative.
Online shopping is a major portion of the UK retail market, with some estimates suggesting that it could account for a third of all retail sales in 2024. This is because of the increasing use of ecommerce by consumers and technological advancements.
In the UK 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find bargains and special deals and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of items available online are behind. In Europe, a higher proportion of shoppers cite lower prices as a major reason for them to purchase online.
Online shoppers are also willing to test new products and brands. About a quarter of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never seen in a store previously, and a majority are willing to test new items when purchasing from the marketplaces like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK shoppers, with 29 percent of shoppers using the buy now pay later option in the past year.
In addition to this an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the online shopping landscape for the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) go through a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for online shopping Figures uk return shipping.