Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The online retail market has been growing continuously since its inception. This is particularly evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of retail sales.

Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before making a purchase and 45% prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in stores". This is an interesting change in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's no secret that sales of online retail in the UK have seen a significant increase in the last few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is fueled by changing consumer shopping habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more customers prefer online retailers to make their purchases.

In order to do this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omnichannel retailers understand what draws consumers to shop online. To help you do this, we've put together a collection of retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening as well as revealing.

Of all the sectors of retail of which fashion is the most well-known and accounts for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a larger selection of products and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to keep up with latest technology. Online sales of hobbies and leisure products account for 15% of all ecommerce sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison and 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special deals. 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 has become a daily part of life for many UK residents. Whether it's to buy electronics, groceries or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase online in the last year. Shoppers can pick from a variety of payment options and decide when and how they want their products delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact 57% of shoppers who shop online say that convenience is the primary motive behind their shopping. In addition, 48% mentioned lower prices as a benefit and 37% noted the availability of more options.

The shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For example 79% of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They may take action if their orders are not packaged in a sustainable green manner.

Some customers wish to make their online shopping experience more personal. They are not only trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance 35% of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer who has their size information saved. This allows them to skip the return process, and to get what they want faster.

It is interesting to note that UK consumers are reported to be more eager than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that UK consumers are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and are aware of the length of time it takes to receive an item in the mail.

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

Online shopping in the UK is a favorite pastime for a large number of people. The most popular items to purchase 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 Starter Rope Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also simple to compare prices and items online when making these types of purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are diverse. This makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know what their customers are looking for when it comes to purchasing products. It is also important to know how much time each type of consumer spends online. For example the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation tends to be more cautious in their buying habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also tend to visit stores on the high street to feel and see products prior to making a purchase. This doesn't mean that they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping remain very appealing.

Another interesting factor to consider when it comes to online shopping is that older generation is more likely to demand and expect free delivery on all purchases. Additionally they tend to drop their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are excessive. Moreover 61% of people over 55 say they will add more items to their carts in order to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make big purchases like furniture and electrical appliances. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion, health and beauty, home and garden, and consumer electronics products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have found that 70% of shoppers are influenced by how the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of these seeking out brands that are supportive of and work closely with their local communities.

The most popular online shopping products in the UK are footwear and clothing. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. Online sales aren't just restricted to clothing. Other items like kitchenware, jewellery and sports items are also available.

This is why online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to find the best prices on these items. Some analysts estimate that by 2024 ecommerce sales could account for more than a third of all retail sales.

While some retailers are struggling to cope with the increase in online shopping, others are flourishing. Particularly the online market is booming for health, fashion and beauty as well as gardening and home as well as consumer electronics.

The trend of purchasing online for these items is likely to continue to grow in the years ahead. As the number of internet users is growing it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the near future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it's important for retailers to ensure their sites are optimized for mobile devices and 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. The customers are influenced by the ease of shopping, the price and a variety of goods when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

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

Shopping online is a significant part of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could account for three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the growing acceptance of ecommerce by consumers and technological advances.

57 percent of UK Custom Frame Online 23X25 shoppers believe that convenience is the main reason they shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find bargains and special offers and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of merchandise available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a higher proportion of shoppers said that lower prices were the primary reason for their choice to shop online.

Online shoppers are also eager to try new brands and products. Almost 25% of online shoppers have bought products they've never purchased in a store before, and Adjustable Bike Toe Clips half are willing to test new products when shopping on the marketplaces like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a common choice for UK customers, with 29% of online shoppers using a buy now pay later option in the last year.

Additionally, a strong online return policy is a vital aspect of the e-commerce landscape in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) will look up a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and a majority will expect a retailer to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.