Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its infancy, the online retail market 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 making a purchase and 45% of them prefer to “buy online, then pick up in stores”. This is a change in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
There’s no denying that retail sales online have increased dramatically in the UK over recent years. According to 2023’s statistics the B2C market for e-commerce is set to hit almost $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is due to changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end, bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more consumers turn to online stores for their purchases.
With this in mind, it’s important for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives consumers to buy online. To assist you in this, we’ve created a collection of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and informative.
Fashion is the most popular retail sector in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the wide variety of items and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics comes in second with 16% of all online sales. This is probably due to the constant demand for new devices, as well as the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Hobbies and leisure items are also popular items to purchase on the internet, examples of online products accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.
When asked why they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. Then, 48% cited price comparison and 37% said they were seeking discounts or special deals. These findings indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a broad product variety.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is becoming regular part of the lives of many UK consumers. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made an online purchase in the last year. Shoppers can choose from a variety of payment options and also decide when and how to buy clothes online from uk they want their products delivered.
Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons customers shop online. In fact, 57% of shoppers who shop coconnex.com
UK consumers are also becoming more eco conscious in their online Shopping figures uk shopping habits. For instance, 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They can decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in an eco green manner.
In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their shopping experiences more personal. For example 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This allows them to bypass the return process and get what they want quicker.
Incredibly, UK consumers are reported to be more willing to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because they are used to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK depending on age group
Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Clothes and accessories are the most popular items, followed by groceries, and media such as music and movies. Online shopping is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. Comparisons of prices and products are also possible when making these purchases.
It is essential to realize that online shoppers are a diverse group. This is why it is crucial for e-commerce businesses to know what their target audience is seeking when they purchase products. It is also important to know how much time each segment of customers spends online. For example the younger generation is far more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to complete online tasks.
The older generation tends to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer to visit shops in the high street to touch and feel products before making a decision. But this doesn’t mean they will not buy online, as the convenience and ease of use 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 anticipate and demand free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to abandon carts if shipping costs seem excessive. Moreover 61% of people over 55 say they will add more items to their shopping carts in order in order to reach the 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 on the internet. However women are more likely to make large purchases, such as furniture or electrical appliances, than men. Both groups are more likely to buy fashion, home and garden products consumer electronics, as well as 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 influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of those consumers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local communities.
The most sought-after online purchasing items in the UK are footwear and clothing. In fact 62 percent of British women who shop online will purchase these items by the year 2020. Online sales aren’t just restricted to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, jewelry, and sports items are also available.
Online shopping is becoming more popular for finding the most affordable bargains. In fact, some analysts have predicted that online sales will account for nearly 1/3 of all retail sales in 2024.
While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online sales, others are thriving. In particular the rise of online sales for fashion, health and beauty, home and gardening as well as consumer electronics.
In the near future the online shopping market for these products is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people with access to the internet increasing it is expected that more customers will opt for online shopping in the near future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it’s important for retailers to ensure 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 one of the leading European online marketplaces. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced by convenience, price, 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 dramatically as consumers chose safer and more convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to choose online Shopping figures uk shopping as a viable alternative.
Shopping online is a large portion of the UK retail industry There are estimates that it could account for one-third of all retail sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and technological advancements.
In the UK 57% of shoppers who shop online cite convenience as the main reason they shop online. The 48 percent who say it’s easier to find deals and special offers and the 37% who claim there is a greater range of items available online are behind. In Europe, a higher proportion of shoppers mention lower prices as a major factor for their decision to purchase online.
Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Almost 25% of shoppers online have bought products they have never bought in a store before, and half are willing to try new products when shopping on an online marketplace like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have made use of this method in the past year.
Additionally an effective return policy is an essential aspect of the e-commerce environment in the UK. The majority of online buyers (59%) will research a retailer’s returns policy before buying, and nearly half will expect the retailer to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.