Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings the market for online retail has grown steadily. This is particularly evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.
Shopping online is a popular method for consumers to research brands and make purchases. 45% of customers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in-store". This is a shift in consumer habits that brick-and mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's not a secret that retail sales online have grown substantially in the UK over recent 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 due to shifting consumer habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as more shoppers prefer online retailers for their purchases.
To achieve this, it's essential that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. To help you understand this, we've put together an assortment of sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative.
Fashion is the most sought-after retail sector in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all online sales. This is probably due to the wider range of products that are available and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without having to leave home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to keep up with latest technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase on the internet, online shopping figures uk accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% cited convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison and 37% said they were looking for discounts or special offers. 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 wide variety of products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is now a part of the daily routine for many UK consumers. More than half of UK people aged 65 and older have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide variety of payment options customers can also decide the time and date they would like their items to be delivered.
While there are many reasons for shoppers to shop online, some of the most popular are convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary reason for their shopping habits. In addition, 48% mentioned lower prices as a advantage, while 37% cited an increased selection of options as well.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious in their shopping online. For instance 79% of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They could be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in a sustainable ecologically friendly way.
In addition to lessening their impact on the environment, some customers are also seeking to make their shopping experience more personal. For example 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information saved. This allows them skip the return process, and get what they need faster.
It is interesting to know that UK shoppers have been reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are more used to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with age group
Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK. Clothes and accessories are the most popular purchases followed by food items, and media such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These sales are extremely convenient for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and products online when making these types of purchases.
It is important to know 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. Additionally it is important to know how much time each age group is spending shopping online. For instance the younger generation is more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that the younger generation is time-poor, and will use several devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation are, however, likely to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less swayed by online advertising. They also tend to visit high street stores to feel and see products prior to making a purchase. This does not mean they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still very appealing.
Another interesting aspect to be considered when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and expect free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts if shipping costs seem excessive. In addition 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their carts to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK depending on gender
In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, like furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase clothing, home and garden products as well as consumer electronics and cosmetics and health 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 the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of these looking for brands that support and are in close contact with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are among the most popular products for online shopping sites in united kingdom shopping in the UK. In fact, 62% of British women who shop online bought these items by 2020. Online sales aren't only limited to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, jewellery and sports items are also available.
As a result, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to find the most affordable prices on these products. Some experts believe that by 2024, online sales could make up more than a third of all retail sales.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are growing in fashion, health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronic.
The trend of purchasing these products online is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. As the number of people who use the internet continues to grow, it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the future. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers must ensure that their sites 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 top European ecommerce markets. When it comes to online shopping, the UK's consumers 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 pandemic online sales grew dramatically because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as an attractive alternative.
Online shopping is an important component of UK retail, and some estimates suggest that it could make up one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and technological advancements.
In the UK 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary reason for them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who state that it is easier to find special offers and deals, and 37% who claim that there is a wider range of products available online. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers stated lower prices as the key driver for their purchase online.
The online shoppers are also keen to try new brands and products. Almost 25% of online shoppers have bought items they've never seen in a store before, and half are eager to try new products when shopping on a marketplace like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have used this option in the past year.
A solid return policy for online shopping figures uk purchases for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online shoppers (59%) check a retailer's return policy before purchasing, and nearly half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.
