Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The market for online retail has grown continuously since its inception. This is particularly evident in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of all retail sales.

Online shopping is a popular method for shoppers to explore brands and purchase. About 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and pick up at the store". This is a shift in consumer habits that brick-and mortar shops 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. In fact, according to 2023 statistics the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. 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 losing popularity as more consumers prefer online stores for their purchases.

With this in mind, it's important for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to know what motivates customers to purchase online. We've collected retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.

Of all the retail industries, 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 wider selection of products and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics is second with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and the need to stay up-to-date with latest technology. Hobbies and Vimeo.com leisure items are also popular items to purchase online, with 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison and 37% indicated they were looking for special offers or discounts. These findings indicate that UK shoppers are less price-driven than their European counterparts and are more focused upon convenience and a wide product selection.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is now a regular part of the lives of many UK residents. About half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet in the past year. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick the best time and method for their items to be delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as their main reason to shop online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices while 37% mentioned a greater variety of options.

Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more eco-conscious. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They could take action if their orders are not packaged in a sustainable ecologically friendly way.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their shopping experience more personal. For instance 35% of UK customers have purchased clothes or footwear from a retailer with their size information stored on file. This allows them skip the return process, and to get what they want quicker.

Incredibly, UK consumers are reported to be more likely to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are more used to the slow delivery times and have a better understanding of the time it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with the age range

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. The most sought-after purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by groceries and then media like movies and music. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Simple Trending Monitor Riser Christmas sales. These events are very practical for shoppers. Online comparisons of prices and products are also possible when purchasing these items.

It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are diverse, which is why it is crucial for e-commerce businesses to understand the demographics their customers are looking for when purchasing products. It is also essential to know how long each type of consumer spends online. The younger generation, for instance is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other group. This is because the younger generation has less time and uses a variety of devices to complete online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They are also more likely to visit high street stores to see and touch products before making purchases. This does not mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still appealing.

Another interesting factor to consider when it comes to online shopping is that older generation is more likely to expect and demand free delivery on all their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts when shipping costs appear excessive. In addition 61% of people over 55 say they will add more items to their carts to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender

Men and women in the UK are equally likely to shop for products online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases like electrical and furniture. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products, home and garden, and consumer electronics 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 how a company responded to the COVID-19 epidemic, with 69% of these looking for brands that support and work closely with their local communities.

The most sought-after online purchasing products in the UK are clothing and shoes. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. However online sales aren't limited to clothing and there are a myriad of other products available like kitchenware, jewellery and sports equipment.

In the process, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to find the most affordable prices on these items. In fact, some analysts 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 growing in health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronics.

In the future, online shopping for these products is expected to increase. As the number of internet users continues to grow, it is expected that online shopping will increase in popularity in the near 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 offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a top European online marketplace. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced primarily by convenience, price, and a variety of products. These factors make it an ideal place for retailers who want to invest in their web presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew significantly as consumers chose safe and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to choose online shopping as an attractive alternative.

Online shopping is an important component of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it will make up a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and technological advancements.

In the UK 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find deals and special offers as well as the 37% who say there is a greater range of merchandise available online are behind. This contrasts with Europe, where a greater percentage of shoppers said that lower prices were the main reason behind their choice to shop online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Almost 25% of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never purchased on the high street previously, and a majority are eager to try new items when purchasing from a marketplace like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of online shoppers have made use of this option during the last year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. A majority of online buyers (59 percent) go through a retailer's return policy before purchasing, and nearly half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.