Online Shopping Figures For the UK
The online retail market has grown continuously since its humble beginnings. This is especially evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.
Online shopping online uk websites is a popular method for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. About 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up at the store". This is a change in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
There's no doubt that online sales of merchandise have risen significantly in the UK over recent years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C online market is expected to reach $120 billion next year. This growth is a result of shifting consumer habits and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as customers increasingly turn to online retailers.
With this in mind, it's essential for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives consumers to buy Online shopping Figures uk. We've collected retail sales figures and stats that are both eye opening and informative to assist you.
Of all the sectors of retail, fashion is the most sought-after with 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a larger variety of items and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics comes in second, with 16% of all the sales made through e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new gadgets and the desire to keep up with the latest technology. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products account for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. Then, 48% cited price comparison, while 37% said they were looking for discounts or special deals. These results indicate that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a broad product selection.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is becoming part of the daily routine for many UK customers. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase online within the last year. Shoppers can select from a range of payment options and decide when and how their purchases delivered.
Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons customers shop online. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online cite convenience as the main driver behind their shopping habits. Another 48% cited lower prices and 37% mentioned a greater selection of choices.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79% of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may even take action if they believe that their packages are not coming in environmentally friendly packaging.
Some customers 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 instance, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who has their size information stored. This lets them to avoid the return process, and to purchase what they want faster.
It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This may be because they are more accustomed to the longer delivery times and have a better understanding of the time it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group
Online shopping is very popular in the UK. The most popular items to purchase are clothes and accessories followed by food items, and finally media like movies and music. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. 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 companies to know what their target market is seeking when they purchase products. In addition to this, it is also important to be aware of the amount of time each age group is spending shopping online. The younger generation, for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other age group. This is because this age group is time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also prefer to visit high-street stores to experience products before making a final decision. However, this doesn't mean that they don't shop online because the convenience and ease of online shopping remains extremely appealing to them.
Another important aspect to take into consideration when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to anticipate and expect free delivery on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts when shipping costs appear excessive. Moreover, 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their cart to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
In the UK both genders are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases like electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups tend to spend more on fashion, home and garden products as well as consumer electronics and products for beauty and health.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies 70% of consumers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of these customers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local communities.
Clothing and shoes are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact 62 percent of British women who shop online will purchase these items by the year 2020. However online sales aren't limited to the clothing sector, with a variety of other products on sale, Online shopping Figures uk like kitchenware, jewellery and sports items.
Shopping online is becoming more popular for finding the most affordable deals. Some experts believe that by 2024, ecommerce sales could account for nearly a third of retail sales.
While some retailers struggle to cope with the increase in online shopping, other are flourishing. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty as well as gardening and home and consumer electronic.
In the future, online shopping for these items is expected to increase. With the number of people who have access to the internet increasing, 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 provide an easy and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is one of the leading European online marketplaces. When it comes to online shopping the British consumers are mostly influenced by convenience, price, and the variety of items. These factors make it a perfect location for retailers to build their online presence and provide an easy online shopping experience.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew dramatically as people sought out safer and more convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued even after the outbreak as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.
Online shopping is an important aspect of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could comprise a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advances in technology.
In the UK 57% of shoppers who shop online say convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online uk women's fashion online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find deals and special offers, and the 37% who claim there's a wider selection 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 choice to shop online.
Online shoppers are also willing to try new brands and products. Almost 25% of online shoppers have bought items they have never bought on the high-street previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a common choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now, pay later option in the last year.
In addition to this an effective return policy is a crucial aspect of the e-commerce landscape for the UK. A majority of online buyers (59 percent) look up a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.