Online Shopping Figures For the UK

Since its infancy the market for online retail has continued to grow. This is especially evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of retail sales.

Shopping online is a common way for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. About 45% of customers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in-store". This is a change in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.

1. Online sales of retail in the UK

There's no doubt that sales on retail websites have grown dramatically in the UK in recent years. According to 2023 statistics, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is fueled by the changing habits of consumers and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more shoppers prefer online retailers to make their purchases.

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

Of all the sectors of retail, fashion is the most sought-after with 28 percent of all sales on e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the wide variety of items and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is the second most popular, with 16% of all e-commerce sales. This is likely because of the constant demand for new gadgets and the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Leisure and hobbies are also a popular purchase online, with 15% of all online sales.

When asked about the factors that drive customers to shop online 57% of UK customers cited convenience as the main reason. This is followed by 48% who cited price comparison and 37% indicated they were looking for special discounts or offers. These findings suggest that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a wide product range.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is becoming regular part of the lives of many UK consumers. More than half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet in the past year. Shoppers can pick from a wide range of payment options, and choose when and how their purchases delivered.

Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason to shop online. Additionally, 48% pointed to lower prices and 37% mentioned a greater choice of options.

The habits of online shopping among UK consumers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious. For instance 79% of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They may even take action if feel their deliveries are not coming in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their impact on the environment, some customers are also seeking to make their online shopping experience more personal. For instance, 35% of UK customers have bought clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information saved. This lets them skip the return process and get what they want quicker.

Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because they are more used to the longer delivery times and are more aware of the time it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK depending on the age group

Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK. Accessories and clothing are the most sought-after purchases, followed by groceries, and entertainment such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are extremely convenient for shoppers. Comparisons of products and prices are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are very diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know what their customers are looking for when they purchase products. Additionally, it is also important to be aware of how much time each age group is spending shopping online. For example, the younger generation is far more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation however tend to have more cautious buying habits and are less affected by the online ads. They also prefer to visit high-street stores to touch and feel products before making a purchase. This does not mean they will not buy online. The convenience and ease of shopping online remain very appealing.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to anticipate and demand free delivery on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Additionally, 61% of over 55s say that they will add more items to their carts to get a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK depending on gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, such as electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups tend to spend more on fashion household and garden products, consumer electronics, and cosmetics and health products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have shown that 70% of consumers are influenced by how a company responded to the COVID-19 epidemic, with 69% of these looking for brands that support and are in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are the most sought-after items to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62% of British women who shop online purchased these items by the year 2020. Online sales are not limited to clothing. Other items such as kitchenware, jewellery and sports equipment are also available.

This is why online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to find the best prices on these products. Some experts estimate that by 2024 online sales could make up nearly a third of retail sales.

Some retailers are struggling with the rising popularity of online shopping, whereas others are flourishing. Particularly the online market is booming for fashion, health and beauty as well as gardening and home and consumer electronic.

In the future, online shopping for these items is expected to increase. With the number of people who have access to the internet increasing, it is anticipated that increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it's crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online Shopping Figures Uk 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 an ideal spot for retailers who wish to improve their online presence and offer an easy shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, 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 component of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could account for one-third of sales by 2024. This is because of the increasing use of ecommerce by consumers and technological advancements.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main factor driving them to shop online. The 48 percent who say it's easier to find deals and special deals and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of items available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers said that lower prices were the key driver for their purchase online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly a quarter of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never seen on the high-street previously, and a majority are willing to test new products when they shop on a marketplace 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 last year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of shoppers (59%) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior purchasing, and a majority will expect the seller to be responsible for organizing and paying for return shipping.