Online Shopping Figures For the UK

Since its humble beginnings the market for online retail has continued to grow. This is evident especially in the UK where e-commerce is responsible for 20% of retail sales.

Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands before purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, pick up in store". This is a fascinating shift in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should take note of.

1. Retail sales online in the UK

It's not difficult to see that sales of online retail in the UK have seen a significant increase over the past few years. According to 2023's statistics the B2C market for e-commerce is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is a result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. As a result bricks and mortar shops are seeing a decline in popularity as more shoppers turn to online retailers for their purchases.

With this in mind, it's essential for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to understand what drives shoppers to buy online. To help you do this, we've compiled an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and revealing.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail sector in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to a greater variety of merchandise available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics comes in second, with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase online, with 15% of all online sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% cited convenience. This is followed by 48% who mentioned price comparison and 37% indicated they were looking for special offers or discounts. These findings suggest that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused upon convenience and a wide product variety.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is now a regular part of the lives of many UK residents. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made an online purchase in the last year. With a variety of payment options buyers can also pick the best time and method for their items to be delivered.

There are many motives to shop online among them, the most popular are convenience prices, availability, and price. In fact, 57% cite convenience as the primary reason for purchasing online. Another 48% cited lower prices and 37% cited a wider selection of choices.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious when it comes to their shopping online. 79% of UK shoppers recycle boxes and Weatherproof Mats Toyota 4Runner other packaging material from their online purchases. They may even take action if they think their purchases aren't coming in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their impact on the environment, some consumers are also trying to make their shopping experiences more personal. For example, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer who stores their size information. This lets them skip the return process and get what they want faster.

It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This may be because they are more used to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.

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

Online shopping is very popular in the UK. Clothes and accessories are the most popular purchases followed by groceries and media such as movies and music. Online shopping is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse. This makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand what their target market is seeking when they purchase products. In addition it is important to be aware of the amount of time each age group spends shopping online. For instance, the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generations however tend to have more conservative purchasing habits and are less affected by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to touch and feel products before making a final decision. This does not mean they will not buy online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still appealing.

Another interesting factor to consider when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to demand and demand free delivery on all purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping costs seem excessive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their cart to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to purchase goods 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 clothing, Antep Rugs Geometric Collection home and garden products as well as consumer electronics and products for beauty and health.

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 outbreak. 69% of those consumers searched for brands that were supportive and were in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are the most requested items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. Online sales aren't just limited to clothing. Other items such as kitchenware, jewellery and sports goods are also available.

This is why online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to get the best deals on these items. Some analysts estimate that by 2024 ecommerce sales could account for nearly a third of retail sales.

While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online sales, others are thriving. Particularly the rise of online sales for health, fashion, beauty, home and gardening and consumer electronic.

The trend of purchasing these products online is expected to continue to increase in the years ahead. With the number of people with access to the internet continuing to increase it is expected that more customers will opt for online shopping in the coming years. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants 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 a top European online retail market. When it comes to online shopping, the UK's consumers are mostly influenced by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it an ideal place for retailers to build their online presence and provide an easy online shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased significantly because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to choose online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a significant aspect of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it will comprise three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advancements in technology.

In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online cite convenience as the main reason they shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who highlight that it is easier to find deals and special offers and 37% of shoppers say there is a wider range of products that are available online. In Europe more than half of shoppers cite lower prices as a major reason for them to buy online.

Online shoppers are also willing to test new products and brands. Almost a quarter of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never seen on the high street before, and half are eager to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of online shoppers choosing a buy now, pay later option in the last year.

In addition to this, a robust online return policy is an essential aspect of the online shopping landscape in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) look up a retailer's return policy before buying, and more than half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.