Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings the market for online shopping has grown steadily. This is especially evident in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of retail sales.
Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before making a purchase and 45% prefer to "buy online, pick up in store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's no secret that online retail sales in the UK have risen significantly in the last few years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C online market is expected to reach almost $120 billion by the end of the year. This growth is due to the changing habits of consumers and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more customers turn to online retailers to make their purchases.
With this in mind, it's essential for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives customers to purchase online. To help you understand this, we've compiled a collection of retail sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening and informative.
Fashion is the most favored retail sector in the UK with 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. 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 place with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new gadgets as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technologies. Leisure and hobbies are also a popular purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked what factors drive customers to shop online 57% of UK customers cited convenience as the primary driver. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special deals. These results suggest that consumers in the UK are less price driven than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a large product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping is becoming a part of daily life for many UK consumers. About half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick the time and date they would like their items to be delivered.
There are many reasons for shoppers to shop online Some of the most popular include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their main reason to shop online. In addition, 48% mentioned lower prices as an additional benefit and 37% noted an increased selection of options as well.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They may take action if their orders are not packaged in an eco friendly manner.
In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This allows them to skip the return process and to get what they want faster.
It is interesting to consider 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 British shoppers are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and understand the length of time it takes to receive an item through the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on the age group
Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Accessories and clothing are the most popular items followed by food items, and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for shoppers. Comparisons of products and prices are also feasible when making these purchases.
It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse. This is why it is crucial for ecommerce companies to understand the demographics their customers are searching for when buying products. It is also important to know how long each group of shoppers spends online. For example, the younger generation is more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to complete online tasks.
Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also prefer to go to shops in the high street to feel and touch products before making a decision. This does not mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still very appealing.
Another interesting aspect to think about when it is about online shopping uk for clothes shopping is that older generation is more likely to anticipate and demand free delivery on all of their purchases. In addition, they tend to drop their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are prohibitive. Furthermore 61% of those over 55 say they'll add more items to their carts to get to the free delivery threshold.
4. online Shop shopping in the UK according to gender
In the UK both genders are equally likely to shop online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, such as furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to buy fashion products, home and garden items 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 a company responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% searching for brands that support and are in close contact with their local communities.
The most sought-after online shopping items in the UK are shoes and clothing. In fact 62% of British women who shop online bought these items by 2020. Online sales aren't just restricted to clothing. Other items like kitchenware, jewelry, and sports equipment are also available.
As a result, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to find the best prices on these products. Some experts predict that by 2024, the sales from e-commerce could be more than a third of all retail sales.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online sales, others are thriving. Online sales are growing in health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronics.
The trend of buying online for these items is likely 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 an easy and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is a major European online marketplace. The customers are influenced by the convenience, affordability and wide range of products when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers to improve their online presence and provide a seamless online shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as consumers chose secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued following the pandemic as consumers continue to embrace shopping online as an alternative.
Online shopping is an important part of UK retail, and some 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 mention convenience as the primary factor driving them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find deals and special offers, and the 37% who claim there is a greater range of merchandise available online are behind. In Europe the majority of shoppers cite lower prices as a key reason for them to purchase online.
Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Online shoppers are open to trying new products and online Shop brands. Half of people are willing to try them when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option during the last year.
In addition to this an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the online shopping environment in the UK. A majority of online buyers (59%) check a retailer's return policy before buying, and nearly half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.