Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings, the online retail market has grown steadily. This is evident especially in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of retail sales.
Online shopping is a popular method for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. 45percent of consumers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in store". This is a shift in consumer habits that brick-and mortar shops must be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's not difficult to see that sales of online retail in the UK have risen significantly in the last few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is set to hit almost $120 billion by next year. This growth is driven by the changing habits of consumers and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are seeing a decline in popularity as more customers are turning to online retailers for their purchases.
With this in mind, it's crucial for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives consumers to buy online. We've put together retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.
Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is probably due to the wider range of items available and the convenience of being in a position to try on clothes without having to leave home. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant need for new gadgets and a desire to keep up with most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked what drives customers to shop online 57% of UK consumers said convenience was the main reason. Then, 48% cited price comparison and 37% said they were seeking discounts or special offers. 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 wide selection examples of online products products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is now a part of daily life for many UK customers. Be it for groceries, electronics or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the past year alone. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick how and when they want their purchases to be delivered.
Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary driver behind their shopping habits. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as another benefit and 37% noted a wider range of choices as well.
The shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious. For online shopping Figures uk example, 79% of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They may even take action if they feel their deliveries are not being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.
Some consumers want 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% of UK customers have purchased clothing or footwear from a retailer with their size information on file. This lets them to skip the return process and to get what they want faster.
Incredibly, UK customers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that UK customers are more used to the slower delivery time and know how long 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. The most popular purchases are clothes and accessories followed by food items, and finally media like movies and music. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that people find these sales convenient. Online comparisons of products and prices are also possible when making these purchases.
It is important to note that online shopping figures uk (Zvanovec writes) shoppers are very diverse. This is why it is crucial for e-commerce companies to know what their target market is seeking when it comes to purchasing products. It is also important to know how long each type of consumer spends online. For instance, the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
Older generations tend to be more cautious in their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They are also more likely to visit stores on the high street to feel and see items before making an purchase. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online, as the convenience and ease of online shopping is very appealing to them.
Another important aspect to take into consideration when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and demand free shipping on all of their purchases. In addition they are more likely to abandon their carts if they believe that shipping costs are prohibitive. In addition 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their shopping carts in order in order to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender
Women and men in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods online. However women are more likely to make large purchases, such as furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to buy fashion products, home and garden items, consumer electronics, and cosmetics and health products.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to research 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of these shoppers searched for brands that were supportive and worked closely with their local community.
Clothing and shoes are the most sought-after items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62% of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. Online sales aren't just restricted to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, jewelry, and sports items are also available.
As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to get the best deals on these products. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will account for almost one third of all retail sales in 2024.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion, beauty, home and gardening and consumer electronic.
The trend of purchasing these products online is expected to continue increase in the coming years. With the number of people having access to the internet growing it is expected that more increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they provide a simple and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK by region
The UK is one of the leading European online marketplaces. When they shop online the customers of the UK are influenced by convenience, price, and a variety of products. These factors make it a perfect location for retailers to build their online presence and offer an effortless shopping experience online.
During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew significantly as people sought out safe and convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.
Shopping online is a significant part of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could comprise three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advancements in technology.
In the UK, 57% of online shoppers say convenience is the primary reason they shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who highlight that it is easier to find deals and special offers, and 37% of shoppers say there's a greater variety of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe where a higher percentage of shoppers said that lower prices were the main reason behind their decision to shop online.
Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. About 25% of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never seen on the high-street before, and half are willing to try new products when they shop on an online marketplace like Amazon. UK shoppers are in love with the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have used this option in the last year.
A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior purchasing, and a majority will expect the seller to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.