Online Shopping Figures For the UK

Since its infancy the market for online retail has continued to grow. This is especially evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.

Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in stores". This is a change in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's hard to deny that sales of online retail in the UK have seen a significant increase in the last 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 is because of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as consumers increasingly shop online.

To do this, it is important that both pureplay and omnichannel retailers understand what draws shoppers to purchase online. To help you understand this, we've put together an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and revealing.

Of all the retail sectors that are available, fashion is the most popular with 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a larger range of merchandise and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is the second most popular, with 16% of online sales. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products account for 15% of all online sales.

When asked about the factors that drive customers to shop online 57 percent of UK consumers said convenience was the primary driver. This is followed by 48% who mentioned price comparison and 37% indicated they were looking for special offers or discounts. These findings suggest that UK shoppers are less price-driven than their European counterparts, and are more focused upon convenience and a broad product variety.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is a common aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. Whether it's to buy groceries, electronics or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over 65 have made a purchase online in the last year. Shoppers can choose from a wide range of payment options and choose the time and method they'd like their purchases delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons customers shop online. In fact, 57% of online shoppers say that convenience is the primary motive behind their shopping. Then, 48% cited lower prices as another advantage, while 37% cited the availability of more options.

Online shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may take action if their orders are not packaged in an environmentally friendly manner.

In addition to lessening their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their shopping experience more personal. For instance 35% of UK customers have bought clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information saved. This allows them skip the return process, and to purchase what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK consumers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because they are more used to the longer 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 according to the age group

Shopping online in the UK is a very popular pastime for a lot of people. Clothing and accessories are among the most popular items, followed by groceries, and media like music and movies. us online shopping sites for clothes shopping is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are extremely convenient for shoppers. Online comparisons of prices and products are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse and this is why it is crucial for e-commerce businesses to understand the demographics their customers are looking for when it comes to purchasing products. It is also crucial to understand how much time each segment of customers spends online. For example the younger generation is more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is busy and uses multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generations however tend to have more shrewd buying habits and are less affected by online advertising. They also prefer visiting high-end stores to experience products before making a purchase. This does not mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still 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 of their purchases. Additionally they tend to drop their carts if they believe that shipping costs are too high. In addition, 61% of people over 55 say they'll add additional items to their shopping carts in order to reach a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping figures uk shopping in the UK by gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, such as electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups tend to spend more on fashion household and garden products consumer electronics, as well as health and beauty products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to research 70% of shoppers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of customers searched for brands that were supportive and collaborated with their local communities.

Clothing and shoes are the most popular products to buy online in the UK. In fact 62 percent of British women who shop online bought these items by 2020. Online sales aren't just limited to clothing. Other items like jewellery, kitchenware and sports equipment are also available.

As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to get the best deals on these items. Some analysts believe that by 2024, ecommerce sales could account for more than a third of all retail sales.

While some retailers struggle to keep up with the growth in online sales, others are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in fashion, health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronic.

In the future, online shopping for these products is expected to continue to grow. As the number of people who use the internet is growing, it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the near future. As online shopping becomes more popular, retailers must ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is one of the leading European eCommerce markets. The customers are influenced by the convenience, affordability and variety of goods when they shop online. These factors make it a perfect opportunity for retailers to build their online presence and provide an effortless shopping experience online.

During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew dramatically as people sought out safer and more convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.

Online shopping is a major portion of the UK retail economy There are estimates that it will account for three-quarters of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advances in technology.

In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online say convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find bargains and special deals, and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of merchandise available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe, where a greater proportion of shoppers cited lower prices as the primary reason for their purchase online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. About a quarter of online shopping uk shoppers have bought products they have never bought in a store previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when shopping on a marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now pay later option in the past year.

In addition to this an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the online shopping landscape in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59%) check a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for return shipping.