Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing and 45% prefer to "buy online, pick up in stores". This is a shift in consumer habits that brick-and mortar shops must be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that retail sales online have risen significantly in the UK in recent years. In fact, according to data from 2023 the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is due to changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as consumers increasingly prefer online retailers.

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

Of all the retail industries, Glass And Metal Furniture fashion is the most well-known, accounting for 28 percent of all sales on e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the wider range of items available and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without having to leave home. Electronics is the second most popular, with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new gadgets and the desire to keep up with the latest technologies. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products account for 15% of all online sales.

When asked what factors drive shoppers to shop online 57 percent of UK customers cited convenience as the primary reason. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison, and 37% who indicated they were seeking special deals or discounts. These results indicate that UK shoppers are less price-driven than their European counterparts and are more focused upon convenience and a wide Best Aquarium Defense Product selection.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is a common aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. More than half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. Shoppers can choose from a variety of payment options, and choose when and how they want their items delivered.

There are many motives for shoppers to shop online among them, the most popular are convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as their primary reason for shopping online. Then, another 48% of them cited lower prices while 37% cited a wider variety of options.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79 percent of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They could be able to take action if they find that their purchases are not packaged in an eco friendly manner.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experience more personal. For example 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who stores their size information. This allows them skip the return process and to purchase what they want quicker.

Incredibly, UK consumers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and have a better understanding of the time it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group

Online shopping in the UK is a popular activity for a lot of people. The most popular items to purchase are clothing and accessories, followed by groceries, and finally media such as music and movies. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these types of purchases.

It is important to know that online shoppers come from a variety of backgrounds. This makes it vital for online retailers to know the type of customer they are looking for when purchasing products. In addition, it is also important to know how much time each age group is spending shopping 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 is less time-conscious, and will use several devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generations on the other hand tend to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to experience products before making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online, as the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is very appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to think about when it comes to online shopping is that older generations are more likely to expect and expect free delivery on all purchases. In addition they are more likely to abandon their carts when they believe that shipping costs are prohibitive. Additionally, 61% of over 55s say that they will add additional items to their shopping carts in order to meet a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK by gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make major purchases like furniture and electrical appliances. Both groups are also more likely to shop for 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. According to research 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of those consumers were looking for brands that backed and were in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are among the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. Online sales are not restricted to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, jewellery and sports items are also available.

This is why online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to find the most affordable prices on these products. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will account for nearly one third of all retail sales in 2024.

While some retailers are struggling to cope with the increase in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in fashion, health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics.

In the future the online shopping market for these products is expected to increase. As the number of people who use the internet increases it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it's essential for retailers to make sure their sites are optimized for mobile devices and offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a major European ecommerce market. The majority of its customers are influenced the convenience, affordability and wide range of products when they shop online. These factors make it a perfect opportunity for retailers to invest in their online presence and provide an effortless shopping experience online.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales increased dramatically as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to choose online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a large portion of the UK retail economy, with some estimates suggesting that it will account for one-third of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advancements in technology.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main reason for them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who say that it is easier to find special offers and avery name tag stickers - https://vimeo.com - deals as well as 37% who say there's a greater variety of merchandise available online. In Europe, a higher proportion of shoppers cite lower prices as a key reason for them to buy online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly 25% of shoppers online have bought products they've never seen on the high street previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when shopping on the marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have made use of this method in the past year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a key aspect of e-commerce. The majority of buyers (59 percent) go through the return policy of the retailer prior to purchasing, and nearly half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.