Online Shopping Figures For the UK
The online retail market has been growing continuously since its humble beginnings. This is particularly evident in the UK where ecommerce is responsible for 20% of all retail sales.
Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands before making a purchase and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, pick up in stores". This is an interesting shift in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's no secret that sales of online retail in the UK have grown significantly over the past few years. According to 2023's statistics the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is fueled by the changing habits of consumers and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more shoppers turn to online retailers to make their purchases.
In order to do this, it's crucial that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives consumers to shop online. We've collected statistics and figures for retail sales that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.
Of all the retail sectors of which fashion is the most well-known and accounts for 28% of all e-commerce sales in the UK. This is probably due to a wider selection of products available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics is second with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely because of the constant need for new technology, as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technologies. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all ecommerce sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison while 37% said they were seeking discounts or special deals. These findings suggest that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is now a part of daily life for many UK consumers. More than half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide variety of payment methods available buyers can also pick how and when they want their purchases to be delivered.
Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons consumers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason to shop online. Then, 48% cited lower prices as an additional advantage, while 37% cited a wider range of options as well.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious when it comes to their shopping online. For instance, 79% of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They may be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an eco ecologically friendly way.
In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few customers are also seeking to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who has their size information saved. This allows them to skip the return process and get what they want quicker.
Interestingly, UK customers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that UK shoppers are more accustomed to the slower delivery time and are aware of how long it takes to receive an item via the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group
Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Accessories and clothing are the most sought-after purchases, followed by groceries, and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and
Small Space End Table Christmas sales. These events are extremely convenient for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and items on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.
It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand the demographics their customers are seeking when it comes to purchasing products. It is also essential to understand how much time each group of shoppers spends online. The younger generation,
stainless Burners Nexgrill for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other age group. This is because this age group is constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by online advertising. They are also more likely to visit stores on the high street to look at and feel items before making purchases. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still very appealing.
Another interesting aspect to think about when it comes to online shopping is that the older generation is more likely to demand and expect free delivery on all purchases. Additionally they tend to drop their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are prohibitive. Furthermore, as many as 61% of people 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 according to gender
In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases like electrical and furniture. Both groups are more likely to buy fashion, home and garden products, 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 consumers are influenced by the way a company responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of these seeking out brands that are supportive of and work closely with their local communities.
The most popular online shopping items in the UK are footwear and clothing. In fact, 62% of British women who shop online purchased these items by 2020. Online sales aren't limited to clothing. Other products such as jewellery, kitchenware and sports items are also available.
As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to get the best deals on these products. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will account for almost 1/3 of all retail sales by 2024.
While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in fashion, health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics.
In the near future, online shopping for these items is expected to increase. 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. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is important for retailers to ensure their websites are optimized for mobile devices and provide a simple and secure checkout process.
5. Online shopping in the UK, by region
The UK is one of the leading European ecommerce markets. Its consumers are influenced by the ease of shopping, the price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers to build their online presence and provide a seamless online shopping experience.
In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew significantly as consumers opted for safe and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases.