Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings, the online retail market has continued to grow. This is particularly evident in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of all retail sales.
Shopping online is a common way for consumers to explore brands and purchase. 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and pick up in-store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online sales of retail in the UK
It's no secret that online retail sales in the UK have risen significantly over the past few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion by the end of the year. This increase is the result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are gaining popularity as shoppers increasingly shop online.
In order to do this, it's crucial that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. To help you do this, we've compiled an assortment of retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative.
Of all the retail sectors, fashion is the most sought-after with 28 percent of all sales on 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 home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new devices, as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also a favorite purchase online, accounting for 15% of all online sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% cited convenience. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison and 37% said they were looking for discounts or special deals. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a large selection of products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping is becoming a regular part of the lives of many UK customers. More than half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made an online purchase within the last year. Shoppers can select from a variety of payment options and also decide the time and method they'd like their purchases delivered.
Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary reason for their shopping habits. In addition, 48% mentioned lower prices as a benefit, while 37% mentioned a wider range of options as well.
Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more eco-conscious. 79 percent of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They can be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an environmentally green manner.
In addition to lessening their impact on the environment, some consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experience more personal. For example, 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothes or footwear from a store that has their size information on the file. This lets them skip the return process and to get what they want faster.
It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more eager than ever to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are used to the slower delivery times and have a better understanding of how long it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on age group
Online shopping in the UK is a favorite pastime for a large number of people. Clothes and accessories are the most popular purchases, followed by groceries, and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are very practical for shoppers. It is also simple to compare prices and items online when making these kinds of purchases.
It is important to note that online shoppers are diverse and this makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know what their customers are looking for when they purchase products. It is also essential to know how much time each group of shoppers spends online. For example, 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 constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generations are, however, likely to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less swayed by online advertising. They also tend to visit stores on the high street to feel and see items before making purchases. This does not mean they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still very appealing.
A second interesting factor 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. Additionally they are more likely to abandon their carts if they believe that shipping costs are prohibitive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their shopping carts in order to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender
In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However, women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products, home and garden, and consumer electronics.
In addition, online shopping figures uk UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have shown that 70% of consumers are influenced by the way the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of these searching for brands that support and collaborate with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are the most popular products for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of British women who shop online purchased these items by the year 2020. However online sales aren't limited to clothing and there are a myriad of other products available including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports goods.
As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to find the most affordable prices on these products. In fact, some analysts have predicted that ecommerce sales will account for almost one third of all retail sales by 2024.
Some retailers are struggling with the rise of online shopping while others are thriving. Particularly, cheap online clothing stores with free shipping worldwide sales are booming for health, fashion and beauty, home and gardening, and consumer electronics.
The trend of buying these products online is expected to continue expand in the coming years. With the number of people having access to the internet growing it is expected that more customers will opt for online shopping in the coming years. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and provide a secure and easy checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is a top European ecommerce market. When it comes to online shopping the customers of the UK are influenced by convenience, price, and the variety of items. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to improve their web presence and provide seamless shopping.
In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased significantly as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued after the outbreak as consumers continue to embrace shopping online as an alternative.
Online shopping is a major portion of the UK retail market, with some estimates suggesting that it will account for three-quarters of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advances in technology.
57 percent of UK online shoppers believe that convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48 percent who say it's easier to find bargains and special deals and the 37% who claim that there's a greater selection of merchandise available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a higher proportion of shoppers stated lower prices as the main reason behind their choice to shop online.
Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Online customers are willing to try new products and brands. Half of consumers are willing to try them when they shop on marketplaces such as amazon uk online shopping clothes. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of online shopping figures uk shoppers have made use of this method in the past year.
A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a crucial aspect of ecommerce. A majority of online buyers (59%) go through the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and more than half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for return shipping.