Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The market for online retailers has been growing continuously since its inception. This is particularly evident in the UK where ecommerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.

Shopping online is a common method for consumers to research brands and make purchases. 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and pick up in-store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behavior that bricks and mortar stores should take note of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that online sales of merchandise have increased substantially in the UK in recent years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C e-commerce market is set to hit almost $120 billion by the year 2023. This is because of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar stores are gaining popularity as shoppers increasingly turn to online retailers.

To achieve this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omni-channel retailers understand what draws customers to buy online. We've put together retail sales figures and stats that are both eye opening and revealing to help you.

Of all the sectors of retail that are available, fashion is the most well-known with 28% of all e-commerce sales in the UK. This is likely due to the wide selection of products and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is due to the constant need for online shopping Uk groceries new devices and the desire to stay up-to-date with the most recent technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked why they shop online shopping top 7, 57% said it was because of convenience. Then, 48% cited price comparison while 37% said they were seeking discounts or special deals. 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

Shopping online is a common aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. It doesn't matter if it's for groceries, electronics or even clothes - more than half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made an online purchase in the last year. With a variety of payment options available buyers can also pick the time and date they would like their purchases to be delivered.

Convenience, price and availability 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 a wider range of choices as well.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious in their online shopping habits. 79% of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an eco ecologically friendly way.

Some customers wish to make their online shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact but also reduce their carbon footprint. For instance 35 percent of UK consumers have purchased clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who has their size information saved. This lets them 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 because UK customers are more used to the slower delivery time and understand how long it takes to receive an item in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK depending on the age range

Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most sought-after purchases followed by groceries and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is very popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These sales are extremely practical for shoppers. It is also simple to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.

It is essential to realize that online shoppers are diverse. This is why it is crucial for e-commerce businesses to know what their target audience is searching for when buying products. It is also essential to know how long each group of shoppers spends online. For example, the younger generation is more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because the younger generation has less time and uses a variety of devices to complete online tasks.

The older generation are, however, likely to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less swayed by online advertising. They are also more likely to go to stores in the high street to see and touch products prior to making a purchase. But this doesn't mean that they don't shop online because the convenience and ease of online shopping remains very appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to consider when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all their purchases. Additionally they are more likely to abandon their carts when they believe that shipping costs are too high. In addition, 61% of people over 55 claim that they will add more items to their shopping carts in order to meet a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods on the internet. However, women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture than men. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products, 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 the way a retailer responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 69% searching 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 2020. However the online shopping Figures uk sales don't just apply to the clothing sector with a wide range of other products on sale, like kitchenware, jewellery and sports items.

In the process, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to get the best deals on these items. In fact, some experts predict that online sales will make up nearly one-third of all retail sales by 2024.

While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online shopping, others are flourishing. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty, home and gardening and consumer electronics.

In the future the online shopping market for these products is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people who have access to the internet increasing it is expected that more customers will opt for online shopping in the coming years. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it's crucial for retailers to ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices and that they provide a secure and easy checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is among the top European eCommerce markets. When they shop online the British consumers are mostly influenced by price, convenience and a variety of products. These factors make it a great opportunity for retailers to invest in their online presence and offer an effortless shopping experience online.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales increased dramatically because consumers were looking for safer and more 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 part of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it will account for one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the increasing use of ecommerce by consumers and technological advances.

In the UK 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main reason for them to shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who highlight that it is easier to discover special deals and offers and 37% of shoppers say there's a wider selection of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe where a larger proportion of shoppers stated lower prices as the key driver for their choice to shop online.

The online shoppers are also keen to try new brands and products. About a quarter of online shoppers have bought items they have never bought on the high street before, and half are willing to try new products when they shop on the marketplaces like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a common choice for UK shoppers, with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now, pay later option in the last year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also an important aspect of e-commerce. A majority of online buyers (59%) check the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and nearly half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.