Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The online retail market has grown continuously since its inception. This is evident especially in the UK where e-commerce is responsible for 20% of retail sales.

Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is a change in the way people shop 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 grown substantially in the UK in recent 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 a result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. As a result bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more consumers prefer online retailers for their purchases.

In order to do this, it's crucial that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. We've compiled retail sales figures and stats that are both eye opening and informative to assist you.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the wider range of merchandise that are available and the convenience of being in a position to try on clothes without leaving home. Electronics comes in second, with 16% of online sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new technology and the desire to stay current with the latest technology. Leisure and hobbies are also a popular purchase on the internet, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison while 37% said they were seeking 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 large variety of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is becoming a part of daily life for many UK customers. Whether it's to buy electronics, groceries or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. Shoppers can choose from a wide range of payment options and also decide when and Vimeo how their items delivered.

There are many motives for online shoppers to shop Some of the most common include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main driver behind their shopping habits. Another 48% of them cited lower prices while 37% mentioned a greater choice of options.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious when it comes to their online shopping habits. For example 79 percent of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They can take action if their orders 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 instance 35% of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer that has their size information saved. This lets them bypass the return process and obtain what they want faster.

It is interesting to consider that UK customers are reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be because UK consumers are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and understand the length of time it takes to receive an item via the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK by age group

Shopping online in the UK is a very popular pastime for a large number of people. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories followed by groceries, and finally media such as music and movies. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for consumers. Comparisons of products and prices are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse and this makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are seeking when it comes to purchasing products. Additionally it is important to be aware of the amount of time each age group is spending shopping online. The younger generation, for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation on the other hand tend to have more conservative purchasing habits and are less swayed by online advertising. They are also more likely to visit high street stores to feel and see products before making purchases. However, this doesn't mean they don't shop online due to the convenience and ease of online shopping remains attractive to them.

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

4. Online shopping in the UK by gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However, women are more likely to make large purchases, like furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase clothing products, home and garden items, consumer electronics, and 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 shoppers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of these customers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local community.

Clothing and shoes are the most popular products to buy online in the UK. In fact 62% of British women who shop online purchased these items by 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing with a wide range of other products on sale, like kitchenware, jewellery and sports items.

As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to find the best prices on these items. In fact, some experts predict that ecommerce sales will account for almost one-third of all retail sales by 2024.

While some retailers struggle to keep up with the growth in online shopping, others are flourishing. Online sales are growing in health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronic.

In the near future the future, online shopping 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. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers should ensure that their websites 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. The majority of its customers are influenced the ease of shopping, the price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it an ideal location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and offer a seamless shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew significantly as consumers chose safe and convenient options for shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to use online shopping as a viable alternative.

Online shopping is a significant component of the UK retail economy, with some estimates suggesting that it could account for Commercial Storage Containers a third of all retail sales in 2024. This growth is driven by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and technological advancements.

57 percent of UK online shoppers claim that convenience is the main reason for them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find bargains and special deals, and the 37% who claim that there's a greater selection of items available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers stated lower prices as the primary reason for their decision to shop online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Almost 25% of shoppers online have bought items they've never purchased in a store before, and half are willing to try new items when purchasing from an online marketplace like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a popular choice for UK customers with 29 percent of shoppers using the buy now pay later option over the last year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also a key aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online shoppers (59%) will check a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and a majority will expect the retailer to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.