Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Online shopping is a popular method for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and pick up in store". This is a fascinating shift in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's not difficult to see that online retail sales in the UK have seen a significant increase over the past few years. In fact, according to 2023 statistics the B2C market for e-commerce is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This increase is the result of the changing shopping habits of consumers and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as consumers increasingly shop online.

To do this, it's essential that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives shoppers to purchase online. To help you understand this, we've created a collection of retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening as well as shocking.

Of all the sectors of retail that are available, fashion is the most sought-after with 28 percent of all sales on e-commerce in the UK. This is probably due to a greater variety of merchandise available and the convenience of being in a position to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics is second with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the constant demand for new devices and the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Online sales of leisure and hobbies products make up 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked what drives shoppers to shop online, 57 percent of UK customers cited convenience as the primary driver. This is followed by 48% who cited price comparison, and 37% who stated they were looking for special offers or discounts. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less price driven than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a large selection of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is becoming part of the daily routine for many UK consumers. About half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made an online purchase in the past year. With a variety of payment options available customers can also decide how and when they want their goods to be delivered.

There are many motives to shop online, some of the most common include convenience prices, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary driver behind their shopping habits. Then, 48% cited lower prices as another advantage, while 37% cited the availability of more choices as well.

The shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They may decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in an environmentally ecologically friendly way.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few customers are also seeking to make their shopping experiences more personal. For instance 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This lets them to skip the return process, and to purchase what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK shoppers are reported to be more likely to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and are more aware of the time it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK by age group

Online shopping in the UK is a favorite pastime for a lot of people. The most popular purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries, and finally media like movies and music. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. Online comparisons of prices and products are also possible when purchasing these items.

It is important to know that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it essential for online retailers to know the type of customer they are looking for when purchasing products. In addition it is crucial 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 group. This is due to the fact that the younger generation is time-poor, and will use several devices to accomplish online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They are also more likely to visit stores on the high street to feel and see products prior to making purchases. This doesn't mean that they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still appealing.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it concerns online shopping is that the older generation is more likely to expect and demand free delivery on all their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Additionally, 61% of people over 55 claim that they will add additional items to their shopping carts in order to get a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK depending on gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to shop for items online. Women are more likely than men to make big purchases, such as electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups tend to spend more on clothing products, home and garden items as well as consumer electronics and health and beauty products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and «link» community-based. According to studies, 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of these customers searched for brands that were supportive and worked closely with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62% of British women who shop online will purchase these items by 2020. However online sales aren't limited to the clothing sector with a wide range of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports goods.

Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular to find the best online shopping sites for clothes bargains. In fact, some analysts predict that online sales will make up nearly one third of all retail sales in 2024.

Some retailers are struggling with the growth of Online Shopping figures uk shopping while others are thriving. Particularly the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty gardening, 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 people who use the internet continues to grow it is anticipated that online shopping will be more popular in the future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is important for retailers to ensure their websites are optimized for mobile devices and offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a top European online marketplace. When shopping online the British consumers are influenced primarily by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it an ideal location for retailers looking to improve their web presence and provide seamless shopping.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales grew significantly as consumers opted for safe and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued following the pandemic, as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.

Online shopping is an important part of UK retail, and some estimates suggest that it could make up a third of retail sales by 2024. This increase is the result of the growing acceptance of e-commerce by consumers as well as technological advances.

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

Online shoppers are also eager to test new products and brands. Online customers are willing to try new brands and products. Half of people are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK customers, with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now, pay later option in the past year.

Additionally an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the e-commerce landscape for the UK. The majority of buyers (59 percent) look up the return policy of a retailer prior to buying, and more than half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for return shipping.