Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

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

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's not difficult to see that sales of online retail in the UK have risen significantly over the past few years. According to 2023 statistics the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion in the next year. This growth is due to changing consumer shopping habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are seeing a decline in popularity as more customers prefer online stores for online Shop their purchases.

With this in mind, it's crucial for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to understand what drives customers to purchase online. We've put together statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and revealing to help you.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is probably due to a greater variety of products available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without leaving home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is due to the constant need for new gadgets and the desire to keep up with the latest technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked what factors drive shoppers to shop online 57 percent of UK consumers cited convenience as the primary driver. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% stated that they were looking for discounts or special deals. These results suggest that consumers in the UK are less price driven than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide selection of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is a common part of the lives of many UK residents. Nearly 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 the time and date they would like their goods to be delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their main reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as an additional benefit and 37% noted the availability of more choices as well.

The shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more environmentally conscious. For instance 79% of UK online shoppers report that they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They can take action if their orders are not packaged in an environmentally friendly manner.

In addition to reducing their impact on the environment, some consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experience more personal. For example 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This lets them to avoid the return process, and to purchase what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK shoppers have been reported to be more eager than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be because they are more used to the longer 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 depending on age group

Shopping online in the UK is a popular activity for a lot of people. Clothes and accessories are the most popular items followed by groceries and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that people find these sales convenient. Comparisons of prices and products are also possible when making these purchases.

It is important to know that online shoppers come from a variety of backgrounds. This makes it vital for online retailers to know the demographics their customers are looking for when purchasing products. It is also crucial to know how much time each group of shoppers spends online. The younger generation, for instance is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than other groups. This is due to the fact that this age group is very time-poor and will use multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generations on the other hand tend to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also tend to visit stores on the high street to see and touch products before making an purchase. But this doesn't mean that they don't shop online due to the convenience and ease of use of online shopping remains extremely appealing to them.

A second interesting factor to take into consideration when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Additionally, 61% of people over 55 say they'll add more items to their shopping carts in order to meet a 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 major purchases like electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups are more likely to buy clothing, home and garden products as well as consumer electronics and health and beauty products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies, 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of customers searched for brands that were supportive and were in close contact with their local communities.

The most popular online shopping items in the UK are footwear and clothing. In fact, 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. Online sales aren't limited to clothing. Other items such as kitchenware, jewelry, and sports goods are also available.

Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular to find the most affordable deals. In fact, some analysts predict that online sales will account for nearly one-third of all retail sales by 2024.

Some retailers are struggling with the rise of online shopping, while others are prospering. Particularly the online market is booming for fashion, health and beauty, home and gardening, and consumer electronic.

The trend of buying these products online is expected to continue expand in the years ahead. As the number of internet users increases it is anticipated that online shopping will increase in popularity in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they provide a secure and easy 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 customers of the uk online shopping sites for electronics are influenced primarily by price, convenience, and a variety of products. These factors make it a great place for retailers who want to improve their web presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online shop (Read More On this page) sales grew dramatically because consumers were looking for secure and convenient options for shopping. This trend has continued after the pandemic, as consumers continue to shop online as an alternative.

Shopping online is a significant component of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could make up one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is driven by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advances in technology.

In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find bargains and special deals, and the 37% who claim there's a wider selection of merchandise available online are behind. This contrasts with Europe where a higher proportion of shoppers cited lower prices as the primary reason for their choice to shop online.

Online shoppers are also willing to try new products and brands. Online shoppers are open to trying 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 favorite option for UK shoppers with 29 percent of shoppers using the buy now pay later option in the past year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also a key aspect of e-commerce. A majority of online buyers (59 percent) look up the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and more than half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.