Online Shopping Figures For the UK
The market for online retail has grown continuously since its humble beginnings. This is especially evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of retail sales.
Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands prior to purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in stores". This is a shift in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's hard to deny that online retail sales in the UK have grown significantly in the last few years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach $120 billion in the next year. This growth is due to changing consumer shopping 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 stores for their purchases.
With this in mind, it's crucial for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to know what motivates shoppers to buy online. We've collected statistics and figures for retail sales that are both eye opening and revealing to help you.
Fashion is the most popular retail industry in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is probably due to the wider range of merchandise accessible and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without having to leave home. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to keep up with the latest technology. Leisure and hobbies are also popular items to purchase online, with 15% of all online sales.
When asked what factors drive customers to shop online, 57% of UK consumers said convenience was the main reason. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison and 37% said they were looking for special deals or discounts. These findings indicate that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused upon convenience and a broad product variety.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping is becoming a part of daily life for many UK customers. More than half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. With a wide range of payment options, shoppers can also choose the best time and method for their purchases to be delivered.
While there are many reasons to shop online among them, the most popular include convenience, price, and availability. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% cited lower prices while 37% mentioned a greater selection of choices.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. For example, 79% of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and Online shopping figures Uk other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They can take action if their orders are not packaged in an environmentally green manner.
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 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes or footwear from a retailer with their size information on the file. This allows them to avoid the return process and get what they need quicker.
Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online clothes shopping websites uk orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are used to the slow delivery times and are more aware of the time it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.
3. Online shopping figures Uk shopping in the UK in accordance with the age range
Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most sought-after purchases followed by waitrose groceries online shopping uk and media such as music and movies. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. It is also simple to compare prices and items on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.
It is important to know that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it essential for e-commerce businesses to know the demographics their customers are seeking when they purchase products. It is also important to understand how much time each group of shoppers spends online. For instance the younger generation is far more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generations are more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertising. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. This doesn't mean that they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still appealing.
Another important aspect to be considered when shopping online is that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and expect free shipping on all their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Furthermore 61% of those over 55 say they'll add more items to their cart to get to the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
Men and women in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods on the internet. However, women are more likely to make big purchases, such as furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase fashion household and garden products, 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 epidemic, with 69% of them searching for brands that support and are in close contact with their local communities.
Clothing and shoes are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing with a wide range of other items available, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports items.
Shopping online has become increasingly popular to find the best bargains. In fact, some analysts have predicted that e-commerce sales will account for almost one-third of all retail sales by 2024.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Particularly, online sales are booming for fashion, health and beauty as well as gardening and home, and consumer electronics.
In the future the future, online shopping for these items is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people with access to the internet continuing to increase It is expected that more and customers will opt for online shopping in the future. As online shopping becomes more popular, retailers 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 a leading European online marketplace. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced primarily by price, convenience and the variety of items. These factors make it a perfect place for retailers to build their online presence and provide a seamless online shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, online sales grew significantly as people sought out safer and more convenient options for shopping. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to use online shopping as an attractive alternative.
Online shopping is a major aspect of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it could account for a third of retail sales by 2024. This is due to the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advancements in technology.
57% of UK online shoppers believe that convenience is the primary reason they shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find bargains and special offers and the 37% who say there is a greater range of items available online are behind. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of consumers stated lower prices as the main reason behind their decision to shop online.
The online shoppers are also keen to test new products and brands. About 25% of online shoppers have bought items they have never bought in a store before, and half are eager to try new items when purchasing from the marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are in love with the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option in the last year.
A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online buyers (59%) will research a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and a majority will expect a retailer to be responsible for both the return and payment shipping.