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 all retail sales.
Many people shop online to research brands before making a purchase, and 45% like to “buy online, then pick up in store”. This is a change in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
There’s no denying that retail sales online have grown dramatically in the UK in recent years. According to 2023’s statistics the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is driven by changing consumer shopping habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more customers prefer online retailers for 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 assist you in this, we’ve put together an assortment of sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and shocking.
Of all the retail sectors, fashion is the most popular with 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the wide variety of items and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving home. 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 latest technology. Hobbies and leisure items are also popular items to purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% said they were looking for discounts or special deals. These findings suggest 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
Shopping online is now a part of the daily routine for many UK customers. More than half of UK people aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. Shoppers can pick from a variety of payment options and choose the time and method they’d like their purchases delivered.
Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their main reason for purchasing online. In addition, 48% mentioned lower prices as another advantage, while 37% cited the availability of more options.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. For instance 79 percent of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They can be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an eco ecologically friendly way.
Some customers want to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not only trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also reduce their carbon footprint. For example, 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, or accessories from a store that has their measurements on file. This lets them skip the return process, and to purchase what they want quicker.
It is interesting to consider that UK shoppers have been reported to be more willing than ever to wait for online orders. This may be because they are used to the slower delivery times and are more aware of the time it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on the age range
Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Accessories and clothing are the most popular purchases, followed by groceries, and media like music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is because customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these types of purchases.
It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse and this makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are seeking when they purchase products. It is also essential to know how long each group of shoppers spends online. For example the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because the younger generation is time-poor, and will use several devices to complete online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a final decision. But this doesn’t mean they won’t buy online, Vimeo.Com as the convenience and ease of use of online shopping is extremely appealing to them.
Another interesting aspect to think about when it concerns online shopping is that older generations are more likely to anticipate and expect free delivery on all their purchases. Additionally, they tend to drop their carts if they believe that shipping costs are excessive. Furthermore 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their cart in order to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK by gender
In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make big purchases like electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups tend to spend more on fashion household and garden products as well as consumer electronics and cosmetics and health products.
In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and Vimeo community-based. Studies have revealed that 70% of consumers are influenced by how the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 69% seeking out brands that are supportive of and collaborate with their local communities.
Clothing and shoes are the most sought-after items to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. Online sales are not only limited to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, jewelry, and sports equipment are also available.
Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular to find the most affordable deals. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will make up nearly one-third of all retail sales by 2024.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in fashion, health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronic.
In the future, online shopping for these items is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people with access to the internet increasing It is expected that more increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the coming years. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers should ensure that their websites 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 one of the top European eCommerce markets. The majority of its customers are influenced the convenience, affordability and variety of goods when they shop online. These factors make it a great spot for retailers who wish to invest in their web presence and offer seamless shopping.
During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew significantly as consumers chose secure and convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.
Online shopping is a significant portion of the UK retail industry, with some estimates suggesting that it will account for a third of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the increasing use of e-commerce by consumers as well as technological advances.
In the UK, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as 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 say there’s a wider selection of items available online are behind. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers cited lower prices as the main reason behind their decision to shop online.
Online shoppers are also eager to test new brands and products. Online customers are willing to try new brands and products. Half of them are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have made use of this option in the last year.
In addition to this, a robust online return policy is an essential aspect of the online shopping environment in the UK. A majority of online buyers (59%) go through a retailer’s return policy before buying, and nearly half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.
