Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many consumers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to "buy online, pick up in store". This is an interesting shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should take note of.

1. Retail sales online in the UK

There's no doubt that retail sales online have risen significantly in the UK over recent years. According to 2023's statistics, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by next year. 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 customers increasingly shop online.

With this in mind, it's essential for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. To assist you in this, we've created an assortment of sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening as well as informative.

Of all the sectors of retail of which fashion is the most popular with 28 percent of all sales on e-commerce in the UK. This is probably due to a greater variety of products accessible and the convenience of being capable of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is second with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is due to the constant demand for new technology as well as the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies. Hobbies and leisure products are also a favorite purchase online, accounting for 15% of all online sales.

When asked what drives shoppers to shop online, 57 percent of UK consumers said convenience was the main reason. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special deals. 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 has become a daily part of life for many UK residents. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made an online purchase within the last year. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick the time and date they would like their goods to be delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason to shop online. Then, 48% cited lower prices as an additional advantage, while 37% cited a wider range of options.

Online shopping habits of UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. 79% of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They might even take action if feel their deliveries are not being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.

Some consumers wish to make their 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 bought clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer who stores their size information. This lets them avoid the return process and obtain what they want faster.

Interestingly, UK shoppers are reported to be more likely to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are used to the slower delivery times and have a better understanding of the time it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

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

Shopping online in the UK is a popular activity for many people. Clothes and accessories are the most popular items, followed by groceries, and entertainment such as movies and music. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are extremely convenient for consumers. It is also easy to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it essential for e-commerce businesses to know the type of customer they are seeking when they purchase products. It is also crucial to know how much time each segment of customers spends online. For instance, the younger generation is far more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is because the younger generation is time-poor, and will use several devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generations are, however, likely to have more conservative purchasing habits and are less swayed by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to go to shops in the high street to experience products before making a final decision. 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.

Another interesting aspect to be considered when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to expect and request free shipping on all their purchases. Additionally, they tend to drop their shopping carts if they think that shipping costs are excessive. Furthermore 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their shopping carts in order to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

In the UK both genders are equally likely to shop online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture than men. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion, health and beauty, 2016 Colorado Bed Cover home and garden, and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have revealed that 70% of shoppers are influenced by how the retailer has responded to the COVID-19 epidemic, with 69% of them seeking out brands that are supportive of and are in close contact with their local communities.

The most sought-after online shopping items in the UK are clothing and shoes. In fact 62% of British women who shop online bought these items by the year 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing with a wide range of other items available, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports equipment.

As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to find the most affordable prices on these items. In fact, some analysts predict that e-commerce sales will account for nearly one-third of all retail sales in 2024.

While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are thriving. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion, beauty gardening, home and garden and consumer Commercial Electronic Faucet.

In the future the online shopping market for these items is expected to increase. With the number of people who have access to the internet continuing to increase, it is anticipated that increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the coming years. As online shopping becomes more popular, retailers must ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is one of the most important European ecommerce markets. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced by convenience, price, and the variety of items. These factors make it an ideal place for retailers to invest in their online presence and provide a seamless online shopping experience.

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

Online shopping is an important component of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it will account for three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This is because of the increasing adoption 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. This is followed by 48% who say that it is easier to discover special deals and offers and 37% who claim that there's a greater variety of merchandise available online. This is in contrast to Europe, where a greater proportion 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 consumers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of people are willing to try them when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option during the last year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online buyers (59%) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior buying, and nearly half will expect the retailer to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.