Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands before purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick up in stores". This is a change in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's not a secret that retail sales online have increased dramatically in the UK over recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion next year. This increase is the result of shifting consumer habits and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as consumers increasingly turn to online retailers.

With this in mind, it's essential for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. We've collected statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye opening and revealing to help you.

Of all the retail industries, fashion is the most sought-after with 28 percent of all sales on 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 home. Electronics is second with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely because of the constant demand for new devices as well as the desire to stay up-to-date with the most recent technology. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products represent 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. Then, 48% cited price comparison while 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special deals. These findings indicate that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide range.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is becoming part of daily life for many UK consumers. Be it for groceries, electronics or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide range of payment methods available buyers can also pick the best time and method for their items to be delivered.

There are many reasons for online shopping uk for clothes shoppers to shop among them, the most common include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason to shop online. Additionally, 48% pointed to lower prices while 37% said they have a wider selection of choices.

UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious with regards to their shopping online. For instance 79 percent of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials that they use in their purchases. They might even take action if feel their deliveries are not being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.

In addition to lessening their environmental impact, some customers are also seeking to make their shopping experiences more personal. For instance 35% of UK customers have purchased clothes or footwear from a retailer that has their measurements on the file. This lets them bypass the return process and get what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more eager than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be because they are more accustomed to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

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

Online shopping in the UK is a very popular pastime for a large number of people. The most popular items to purchase are clothes and accessories followed by groceries and then media like movies and music. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is because customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also simple to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are very diverse and this makes it essential for ecommerce companies to know the demographics their customers are seeking when it comes to purchasing products. In addition to this it is important to be aware of the amount of 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 due to the fact that the younger generation is less time-conscious and uses a variety of devices to complete online shopping figures uk tasks.

The older generations are more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They are also more likely to visit high street stores to look at and feel products before making purchases. However, this doesn't mean they don't shop online, as the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is still extremely appealing to them.

A second interesting factor to consider when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts if shipping charges seem excessive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say they'll add more items to their shopping carts in order in order to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to shop for items on the internet. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases such as furniture and electrical appliances. Both groups are more likely to purchase fashion as well as health and beauty gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies 70% of consumers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of those customers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local communities.

The most popular online shopping items in the UK are clothing and shoes. In fact, 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to clothing, with a variety of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports equipment.

This is why online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to find the best prices on these items. In fact, some experts predict that ecommerce sales will make up nearly 1/3 of all retail sales in 2024.

While some retailers are struggling to keep up with the growth in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronics.

The trend of buying online for these items is expected to continue to expand in the coming years. With the number of people who have access to the internet growing It is expected that more more people will turn to online shopping in the near future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it is essential for retailers to make sure their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is among the top European ecommerce markets. When it comes to online shopping, the UK's consumers are influenced primarily by price, convenience, and the variety of items. These factors make it a great place for retailers to build their online presence and provide an easy online shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew significantly as consumers chose safe and convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as an attractive alternative.

Online shopping is a major aspect of UK retail, and some estimates suggest that it could account for a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and advances in technology.

57% of UK online shoppers claim that convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find deals and special offers, and the 37% who say that there's a greater selection of merchandise available online are behind. This contrasts with Europe, where a greater percentage of shoppers said that lower prices were the main reason behind their choice to shop online.

The online shoppers are also keen to try new products and brands. Online consumers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of people are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a common choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of online shoppers choosing a buy now pay later option over the last year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a key aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online shoppers (59%) check a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.