Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The market for online retailers has grown continuously since its humble beginnings. This is especially evident in the UK where ecommerce is responsible for 20% of retail sales.

Shopping online is a popular way for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in-store". This is a change in consumer habits that brick-and mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's not difficult to see that online retail sales in the UK have grown significantly over the past few years. In fact, according to 2023's statistics, the B2C e-commerce market is set to hit almost $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is driven by the changing habits of consumers and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar shops are experiencing a decline in popularity as more shoppers are turning to online stores for their purchases.

With this in mind, it's essential for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to know what motivates shoppers to buy online. To help you understand this, we've created an assortment of retail sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening as well as informative.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK with 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the availability of a wider selection of products and France online shopping sites clothes the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is the second most popular with 16% of all online sales. This is likely because of the constant demand for new gadgets and the desire to keep up with the most recent technology. Leisure and hobbies are also a favorite purchase on the internet, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% cited convenience. Then, 48% cited price comparison, while 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special offers. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less driven by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a large variety of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online has become a daily aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. It doesn't matter if it's for electronic gadgets, groceries or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the past year alone. With a wide variety of payment methods available buyers can also pick the best time and method for their items to be delivered.

Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons consumers shop online. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online say that convenience is the primary driver behind their shopping habits. Another 48% of them cited lower prices, while 37% mentioned a greater variety of options.

Online shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming more eco-conscious. For example, 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They might even take action if they think their purchases aren't coming in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their impact on the environment, some consumers are also trying to make their shopping experiences more personal. For instance, 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothing or footwear from a retailer with their measurements on file. This lets them bypass the return process and obtain what they want faster.

Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This may be because they are more accustomed to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long 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 in the UK is a popular activity for many people. Accessories and clothing are the most popular items, followed by groceries, and entertainment such as music and movies. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. Comparisons of products and prices are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their target market is seeking when purchasing products. In addition to this, it is also important to be aware of how much time each age group is spending shopping online. The younger generation, for example is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than other groups. This is due to the fact that this age group is very constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to complete online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also prefer to visit shops in the high street to touch and feel products before making a decision. This does not mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still appealing.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to expect and demand free delivery on all of their purchases. In addition they are more likely to abandon their carts if they believe that shipping costs are excessive. Additionally, 61% of those over 55 say they'll add additional items to their shopping carts in order to reach the threshold of free delivery.

4. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with gender

Men and women in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods on the internet. However, women are more likely to make large purchases, such as electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups tend to spend more on clothing products, home and garden items as well as consumer electronics and products for beauty and health.

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 the way the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of them searching for brands that support and work closely with their local communities.

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

In the process, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to find the most affordable prices on these products. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will make up nearly one third of all retail sales in 2024.

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

In the near future, online shopping for these items is expected to increase. As the number of internet users increases it is anticipated that online shopping will increase in popularity in the future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also offer a simple and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK, by region

The UK is a major European online retail market. When they shop online, the UK's consumers are influenced primarily by price, convenience and the variety of items. These factors make it a great spot for retailers who wish to improve their web presence and provide seamless shopping.

During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew dramatically as people sought out safe and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued following the pandemic, as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.

Online shopping is a major component of uk online shopping sites like amazon retail and some estimates suggest that it could account for one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and technological advancements.

57% of UK online shopping figures uk (go to website) shoppers believe that convenience is the primary reason they shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who state that it is easier to find special offers and deals and 37% who say there is a wider range of products available online. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of consumers said that lower prices were the main reason behind their purchase online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly a quarter of online shoppers have bought items they have never bought on the high-street previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when they shop on an online marketplace like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a favorite option for UK shoppers, with 29 percent of shoppers using the buy now pay later option in the past year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also an important aspect of e-commerce. The majority of shoppers (59 percent) will check a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and more than half will expect the seller to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.