Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its infancy the market for online retail has continued to grow. This is particularly evident in the UK where ecommerce is responsible for 20% of all retail sales.
Many people shop online to research brands prior to purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behavior that bricks and mortar stores should pay attention to.
1. Online sales of retail in the UK
It's no secret that online retail sales in the UK have risen significantly in the last few years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach almost $120 billion next year. This increase is the result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as consumers increasingly prefer online retailers.
To do this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omnichannel retailers understand online Shopping figures uk what motivates customers to buy online. To help you understand this, we've created an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and shocking.
Fashion is the most popular retail sector in the UK with 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is probably due to a wider selection of merchandise that are available and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics is second, with 16% of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and the desire to keep up with most recent technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products make up 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special offers. These results suggest that consumers in the UK are less price driven than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a broad variety of products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is becoming regular part of the lives of many UK consumers. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. With a wide variety of payment options, shoppers can also choose the time and date they would like their purchases to be delivered.
There are many motives for online shoppers to shop, some of the most common include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as the primary reason to shop online shopping websites list. Another 48% cited lower prices while 37% cited a wider selection of choices.
UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious with regards to their shopping online. For instance 79% of UK online shoppers say 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 an environmentally green manner.
In addition to lessening their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their shopping experience more personal. For example, 35% of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who has their size information stored. This allows them to avoid the return process, and get what they need faster.
It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more willing to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that British customers are more used to the slower delivery time and are aware of how long it takes to receive an item through the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on age group
Online shopping in the UK is a favorite pastime for many people. Clothing and accessories are among the most popular purchases followed by groceries and media such as movies and music. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is because people find these sales convenient. Online comparisons of products and prices are also possible when purchasing these items.
It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse. This makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their target market is looking for when it comes to purchasing products. It is also crucial to know how much time each type of consumer spends online. For instance, the younger generation is more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that the younger generation is time-poor and will make use of multiple devices to complete online tasks.
The older generation are, however, likely to have more cautious purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to go to shops in the high street to touch and feel products before making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping remains attractive to them.
Another important aspect to take into consideration when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping costs seem excessive. Moreover 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their carts to get to the free delivery threshold.
4. online shopping clothes uk cheap shopping in the UK by gender
In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However, women are more likely to make big purchases, such as electrical appliances or furniture, than men. 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 found that 70% of consumers are influenced by the way a company responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 69% of these seeking out brands that are supportive of and are in close contact with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are among the most popular products for online shopping in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in the year 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to clothing and there are a myriad of other products on sale, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports items.
This is why online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to get the best deals on these items. In fact, some analysts predict that e-commerce sales will account for nearly one-third of all retail sales in 2024.
While some retailers are struggling to keep up with the growth in online sales, others are thriving. Online sales are booming in health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronic.
The trend for buying these products online is expected to continue grow in the years ahead. With the number of people having access to the internet growing, it is anticipated that customers will opt for online shopping in the near future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide a simple and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is among the leading European online marketplaces. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it a great spot for retailers who wish to invest in their web presence and provide an easy shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, online Shopping figures uk sales increased dramatically as consumers opted for safe and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as an attractive alternative.
Online shopping is an important part of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it will comprise three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the increasing use of e-commerce by consumers as well as technological advances.
57% of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the primary reason they shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who state that it is easier to find special offers and deals and 37% who say there is a wider range of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe, where a greater percentage of shoppers cited lower prices as the key driver for their decision to shop online.
Online shoppers are also willing to try new products and brands. About 25% of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never purchased on the high-street before, and half are eager to try new products when shopping on the 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 an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of shoppers (59 percent) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior purchasing, and more than half will expect the seller to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.