Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Online shopping is a popular method for shoppers to research brands and make purchases. 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up at the store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Retail sales online in the UK

It's no secret that online retail sales in the UK have seen a significant increase over the past few years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C online shopping sites market is predicted to grow to $120 billion in the next year. This growth is due to the changing habits of consumers and online shopping Figures uk the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. Bricks and mortar stores are gaining popularity as shoppers increasingly shop online.

To achieve this, it is important that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers understand what draws consumers to shop online. To assist you in this, we've put together an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening as well as shocking.

Fashion is the most favored retail sector in the UK with 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the wide selection of products and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is likely because of the constant need for new technology and the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products account for 15% of all online sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison while 37% of them said they were looking for discounts or special offers. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide selection of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is now a regular part of the lives of many UK residents. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made an online purchase in the past year. Shoppers can pick from a range of payment options and choose when and how their products delivered.

There are many reasons to shop online among them, the most common include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason for purchasing online. Another 48% pointed to lower prices while 37% said they have a wider choice of options.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79 percent 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 friendly manner.

In addition to decreasing their environmental impact, some customers are also seeking to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For example, 35% of UK consumers have purchased clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that stores their size information. This allows them to skip the return process and to purchase what they want faster.

Interestingly, UK consumers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because UK shoppers are more accustomed to the longer delivery time and understand the length of time it takes to receive an item via the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age group

Online shopping in the UK is a very popular pastime for a large number of people. Clothes and accessories are the most popular items followed by groceries and media such as music and movies. Online shopping is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for shoppers. Comparisons of products and prices are also possible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse, which makes it crucial for ecommerce companies to know what their target market is looking for when they purchase products. It is also important to understand how much time each segment of customers spends online. For example the younger generation is far more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to complete online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more cautious in their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer visiting shops in the high street to touch and feel products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still appealing.

A second interesting factor to be considered when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all of their purchases. In addition they are more likely to abandon their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are prohibitive. In addition, 61% of people over 55 say that they will add additional items to their shopping carts in order to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to shop for items on the internet. However, women are more likely to make large purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture than men. Both groups tend to spend more on clothing household and garden products consumer electronics, as well as cosmetics and health products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of these consumers looked for brands that supported and worked closely with their local community.

Shoes and clothing are among the most sought-after items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in the year 2020. Online sales aren't just restricted to clothing. Other items like jewellery, kitchenware and sports items are also available.

Online shopping is becoming more popular for finding the best bargains. In fact, some experts predict that online sales will make up nearly one-third of all retail sales in 2024.

Some retailers are struggling with the rising popularity of online shopping, while others are flourishing. Particularly the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty gardening, home and garden as well as consumer electronic.

The trend of purchasing these products online is expected to continue expand in the coming years. With the number of people with access to the internet continuing to increase, it is anticipated that customers will opt for online shopping in the near future. 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 simple and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is among the most important European ecommerce markets. When shopping online, the UK's consumers are mostly influenced by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it a great place for retailers to build their online presence and provide a seamless Online Shopping Figures Uk shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales grew significantly because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a large part of the UK retail industry There are estimates that it will comprise three-quarters of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advancements in technology.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers say convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find deals and special offers as well as the 37% who claim that there's a greater selection of merchandise available online are behind. In Europe the majority of consumers cite the lower cost as a primary factor for their decision to buy online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Online consumers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of them are willing to do so when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have made use of this option in the last year.

In addition to this an effective return policy is a crucial aspect of the online shopping landscape in the UK. The majority of buyers (59 percent) go through a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.