Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands before making a purchase, and 45% like to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is a fascinating shift in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should take note of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no doubt that retail sales online have risen substantially in the UK in recent years. In fact, 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 due to shifting consumer habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are seeing a decline in popularity as more consumers turn to online stores for their purchases.

With this in mind, it's crucial for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives customers to purchase online. To assist you in this, we've compiled an assortment of sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and revealing.

Of all the sectors of retail, fashion is the most well-known, london online clothing shopping sites accounting for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to a greater variety of products that are available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely because of the constant demand for new technology as well as the desire to keep up with the most recent technology. Online sales of hobbies and leisure products account for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked what drives consumers to shop online, 57% of UK consumers said convenience was the primary driver. This is followed by 48% who mentioned price comparison and 37% stated they were looking for special offers or discounts. These findings suggest that consumers in the UK are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a large selection of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online has become a daily aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. About half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. Shoppers can pick from a variety of payment options and decide when and how their purchases delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact 57% of online shoppers say that convenience is the primary driver behind their shopping habits. Then, another 48% pointed to lower prices while 37% mentioned a greater choice of options.

Online shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For example, 79 percent of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials that they use in their purchases. They might even take action if they think their purchases aren't being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.

Some customers wish to make their 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 customers have purchased clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer with their measurements on file. This lets them to avoid the return process, and to purchase what they want faster.

Interestingly, UK consumers are reported to be more likely to wait for Download free online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because they are used to the slower delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

3. Online shopping figures Uk shopping in the UK by the age group

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Accessories and clothing are the most popular items, followed by groceries, and media like movies and music. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that people find these sales convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online retailers uk stats when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse, which is why it is crucial for e-commerce companies to know what their target market is looking for when purchasing products. Additionally, it is also important to know how much time each age group is spending shopping online grocery stores that ship. For example the younger generation is more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because the younger generation is less time-conscious, and will use several devices to complete online tasks.

The older generation are, however, likely to have more cautious purchasing habits and are less swayed by advertisements on the internet. They also tend to visit stores on the high street to feel and see products prior to making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is still extremely appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to think about when it is about online shopping is that the older generation is more likely to expect and demand free delivery on all purchases. In addition they tend to drop their carts when they believe that shipping costs are prohibitive. Moreover 61% of people over 55 say they'll add more items to their cart to get to the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to shop for products online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases such as electrical and furniture. Both groups are more likely to shop for fashion, health and beauty, home and garden, and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to research 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of those customers were looking for brands that backed and were in close contact with their local community.

The most popular online shopping items in the UK are shoes and clothing. In fact, 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. However online sales aren't limited to clothing with a wide range of other products on sale, like kitchenware, jewellery and sports equipment.

Shopping online has become more popular for finding the best bargains. Some experts predict 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 flourishing. Particularly the online market is booming for health, fashion and beauty gardening, home and garden as well as consumer electronics.

The trend of buying these items online is expected to continue to expand in the coming years. As the number of internet users increases, it is expected that online shopping will become more popular in the near future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it's essential for retailers to make sure their sites 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 most important European ecommerce markets. When it comes to online shopping the customers of the UK are mostly influenced by convenience, price, and a variety of products. These factors make it a great spot for retailers who wish to invest in their web presence and provide seamless shopping.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued following the outbreak as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.

Online shopping is an important aspect of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could account for a third of retail sales by 2024. This increase is the result of the growing acceptance of e-commerce by customers and technological advances.

In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online cite convenience as the main reason they shop online. This is followed by 48% who state that it is easier to discover special deals and offers as well as 37% who claim that there's a wider selection of merchandise available online. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of consumers stated lower prices as the main reason behind their decision to shop online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Online customers are willing to try new products and brands. Half of consumers are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a common choice for UK shoppers, with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now pay later option over the last year.

In addition to this an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the e-commerce landscape in the UK. The majority of online buyers (59%) will look up a retailer's returns policy before buying, and nearly half will expect the seller to be responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping.