Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands prior to purchasing and 45% prefer to "buy online, then pick up in stores". This is an interesting change in consumer behavior that bricks and mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's hard to deny that online retail sales in the UK have risen significantly in the last few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion by the end of the year. This growth is driven by changing consumer shopping habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more shoppers are turning to online stores for their purchases.

With this in mind, it's crucial for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. We've compiled statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye opening and informative to assist you.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK with 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the wide range of merchandise and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics is the second most popular, with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with latest technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products account 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, while 37% said they were seeking discounts or special offers. These results suggest that consumers in the UK are less influenced by price 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 regular part of the lives of many UK consumers. Be it for electronic gadgets, groceries, or fashion - almost half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase online in the past year alone. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick how and when they want their items to be delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary reason for their shopping habits. Another 48% cited lower prices and 37% said they have a wider selection of choices.

The shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more eco-conscious. For instance, 79% of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They may decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in a sustainable green manner.

Certain 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 shoppers have bought clothes or footwear from a retailer that has their size information stored on file. This allows them to skip the return process and get what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more willing to wait for Soothing Lip Balm online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that they are more accustomed to the slower delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group

Online shopping in the UK is a popular activity for a lot of people. The most popular items to purchase are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries, and finally media such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK, especially during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These sales are extremely practical for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and products online when making these kinds of purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse. This makes it crucial for ecommerce companies to know the demographics their customers are seeking when it comes to purchasing products. It is also crucial to know how long each segment of customers spends online. For instance, the younger generation is more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. 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 buying habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also tend to go to stores in the high street to see and touch items before making purchases. However, this doesn't mean that they won't buy online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is still attractive to them.

Another interesting aspect to think about when it comes to online shopping is that older generation is more likely to demand and expect free delivery on all their purchases. In addition they are more likely to abandon their carts when they believe that shipping costs are too high. Moreover, 61% of those over 55 say they'll add more items to their shopping carts in order 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. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases, such as electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups are more likely to purchase clothing household and garden products, consumer electronics, and cosmetics and health products.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to research 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of those shoppers looked for brands that supported and collaborated with their local communities.

Clothing and shoes are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing with a wide range of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and Durable Sports Watch items.

Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular to find the most affordable bargains. In fact, some experts predict that e-commerce sales will account for nearly one-third of all retail sales in 2024.

While some retailers struggle to cope with the increase in online sales, others are flourishing. Online sales are growing in fashion, health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronics.

In the near future, online shopping for these products is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people who have access to the internet increasing it is anticipated that more people will turn to online shopping in the future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a top European online marketplace. When it comes to online shopping the British consumers are mostly influenced by convenience, price, and a variety of products. These factors make it a great location for retailers to build their online presence and provide a seamless online shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically because consumers were looking for safe and convenient alternatives to shopping. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.

Online shopping is a major component of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could make up three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This is due to increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advances in technology.

57% of UK online shoppers claim that convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. The 48 percent who say it's easier to find deals and special offers as well as the 37% who say there is a greater range of merchandise available online are behind. In Europe the majority of consumers cite lower prices as a key factor in their decision to purchase online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly a quarter of online shoppers have bought products they've never purchased on the high-street before, and half are willing to test new items when purchasing from an online marketplace like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option during the last year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also an important aspect of e-commerce. The majority of buyers (59 percent) check a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect retailers to arrange and Coffee Brown Frame pay for return shipping.