Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop Online Shopping figures uk to research brands prior to purchasing and 45% prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is a change in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that online sales of merchandise have risen significantly in the UK over recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to grow to $120 billion next year. This growth is driven by the changing habits of consumers and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as consumers increasingly prefer online retailers.

In order to do this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omni-channel retailers understand what motivates customers to buy online. To help you do this, we've created an assortment of retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and shocking.

Of all the retail sectors that are available, fashion is the most popular and accounts for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a wider range of merchandise and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is second with 16% of online sales. This is likely because of the constant demand for new technology and the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all online sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison, while 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special offers. These findings indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused upon convenience and a wide range.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping has become a daily part of the lives of many UK residents. More than half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase online within the last year. With a wide range of payment options customers can also decide how and when they want their purchases to be delivered.

There are many motives for shoppers to shop online Some of the most popular include convenience prices, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as their main reason for purchasing online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as an additional advantage, while 37% cited a wider range of choices as well.

UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. For example 79% of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They may be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an eco green manner.

Certain consumers want to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not only trying to reduce their environmental impact but also to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes or footwear from a retailer that has their measurements on file. This allows them to bypass the return process and get what they want quicker.

Interestingly, UK consumers 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 longer delivery time and know the length of time it takes to receive an item through the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK depending on age group

Online shopping in the UK is a very popular pastime for a lot of people. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media like movies and music. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and products online when making these kinds of purchases.

It is important to know that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it essential for online retailers to know what their target audience is seeking when they purchase products. Additionally it is important to be aware of how much time each age group spends shopping online. The younger generation, for example is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other age group. This is because this age group is time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generations are more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertising. They also prefer visiting high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean that they don't shop online, as the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping remains very appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to take into consideration when shopping online is that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and expect free shipping on all their purchases. Additionally they tend to drop their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are prohibitive. In addition 61% of people over 55 say that they will add more items to their carts in order to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK depending on gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, like furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products as well as home and garden and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have shown that 70% of consumers are influenced by how a retailer responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of them looking for brands that support and work closely with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are among the most popular products for online shopping in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. However online sales aren't limited to the clothing sector, with a variety of other items available, like kitchenware, jewellery and sports equipment.

This is why online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to get the best deals on these items. Some analysts estimate that by 2024 online sales could make up almost one third of retail sales.

Some retailers are struggling with the growth of online shopping while others are prospering. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty, home and gardening and consumer electronic.

In the near future, online shopping for these products is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people with access to the internet continuing to increase It is anticipated that more people will turn to online shopping 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 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 shopping online, the UK's consumers are mostly influenced by price, convenience, and a variety of products. These factors make it a perfect opportunity for retailers to invest in their online presence and offer an easy online shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew dramatically as consumers chose secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued even after the pandemic, as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.

Online shopping is a significant part of the UK retail industry Some estimates suggest that it could account for a third of all retail sales in 2024. This increase is the result of the increasing adoption of ecommerce by consumers and technological advances.

57 percent of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the main reason why they shop online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find deals and special deals, [empty] and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of items available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe, where a greater proportion of shoppers said that lower prices were the key driver for their choice to shop online shopping sites with free international shipping.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. About 25% of shoppers online have bought products they've never purchased on the high-street previously, and a majority are eager to try new items when purchasing from the marketplaces like Amazon. uk online shopping sites for mobile shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option in the last year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also a crucial aspect of e-commerce. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) check a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.