Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is an interesting shift in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should pay attention to.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no doubt that retail sales online have risen dramatically in the UK in recent years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach $120 billion by the end of the year. This is because of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. In the end bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more customers turn to online retailers to make their purchases.

To do this, it's essential that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives consumers to shop online. To assist you in this, Vimeo.Com we've compiled a collection of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening as well as informative.

Of all the sectors of retail that are available, fashion is the most popular with 28% of all e-commerce sales in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a wider range of merchandise and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics comes in second with 16% of all the sales made through e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Online sales of hobbies and leisure products account for 15% of all online sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison and 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special deals. These results indicate that UK shoppers are less price-driven than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide selection.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a regular part of the lives of many UK customers. It doesn't matter if it's for groceries, electronics or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over 65 have made an online purchase within the last year. With a wide range of payment methods available customers can also decide the best time and method for their purchases to be delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons consumers shop online. In fact, 57% cite convenience as their primary reason for purchasing online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as another benefit, while 37% mentioned a wider range of choices as well.

The habits of online shopping among UK customers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For example 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials that they use in their purchases. They might even take action if believe that their packages are not being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.

In addition to decreasing their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For example 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, or accessories from a retailer that has their measurements on the file. This allows them to avoid the return process and obtain what they want faster.

Incredibly, UK customers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because UK shoppers are more accustomed to the slower delivery time and understand how long it takes to receive an item in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age group

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most popular items followed by groceries and media like music and movies. Shopping online is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers come from a variety of backgrounds. This is why it is crucial for ecommerce companies to understand what their target audience is searching for when buying products. In addition to this it is important to know how much 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 because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertising. They also prefer visiting shops in the high street to experience products before making a final decision. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online. The convenience and Vimeo.Com ease of shopping online are still appealing.

Another interesting aspect to think about when it comes to online shopping is that older generation is more likely to demand and demand free delivery on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts when shipping costs appear excessive. Furthermore, as many as 61% of those over 55 say they'll add additional items to their carts to meet the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to purchase products online. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases like furniture and electrical appliances. Both groups are also more likely to purchase 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. According to research 70% of shoppers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of those consumers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local community.

The most sought-after online purchasing items in the UK are footwear and clothing. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to the clothing sector with a wide range of other items available, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports items.

Shopping online has become increasingly popular to find best bargains. Some experts believe that by 2024, the sales from e-commerce could be more than a third of all retail sales.

While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are increasing in fashion, health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronic.

In the near future the online shopping market for these items is expected to increase. As the number of internet users 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 crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and provide a simple and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a leading European online retail market. The majority of its customers are influenced the convenience, affordability and vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it a great opportunity for retailers to build their online presence and offer an effortless shopping experience online.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, online sales grew significantly as people sought out secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to choose online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a significant component of UK retail, and some estimates suggest that it could make up three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This is due to the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advances in technology.

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

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Online customers are willing to try new products and brands. Half of them are willing to do so when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of online shoppers have made use of this method in the last year.

Additionally, a strong online return policy is a crucial aspect of the ecommerce landscape for the UK. The majority of online buyers (59 percent) will look up a retailer's returns policy before buying, and nearly half will expect the seller to be responsible for organizing and paying for return shipping.