Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands before purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick it up in store". This is a fascinating shift in consumer behavior that bricks and mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no doubt that online sales of merchandise have grown dramatically in the UK in recent years. According to 2023 statistics, the B2C e-commerce market is set to hit almost $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is a result of the changing shopping habits of consumers and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as customers increasingly prefer online retailers.

To do this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omnichannel retailers understand what motivates consumers to shop online. To help you understand this, we've put together an assortment of sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening as well as shocking.

Fashion is the most popular retail sector in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to a greater variety of items available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is the second most popular, with 16% of all the sales made through e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new devices, as well as the desire to stay current with the most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase online, with 15% of all online sales.

When asked about the factors that drive shoppers to shop online, 57 percent of UK consumers said convenience was the primary driver. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison, and online shopping Figures uk 37% who stated they were looking for special deals or discounts. These results indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a wide product range.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a part of daily life for many UK consumers. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. With a wide range of payment methods available buyers can also pick how and when they want their purchases to be delivered.

There are many reasons for online shoppers to shop, some of the most common include convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as their primary reason for shopping online. Another 48% cited lower prices and 37% said they have a wider choice of options.

The shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more environmentally conscious. 79 percent of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may even take action if they believe that their packages are not being delivered in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their shopping experiences more personal. For instance, 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothing or footwear from a retailer with their measurements on file. This lets them avoid the return process and get what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK consumers are reported to be more eager than ever to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and have a better understanding of how long it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with the age range

Shopping online in the UK is a popular activity for a large number of people. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries and then media such as music and movies. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. Comparisons of products and prices are also possible when purchasing these items.

It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are diverse, which supermarket is cheapest for online shopping makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are looking for when it comes to purchasing products. It is also important to know how long 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 because this age group is very time-poor and will use multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generation tends to be more conservative in their purchasing habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They are also more likely to visit stores on the high street to see and touch items before making a purchase. But this doesn't mean they won't buy online, as the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is extremely appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to consider when shopping online is that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and expect free shipping on all their purchases. They are also more likely to leave carts if shipping costs seem excessive. Furthermore, as many as 61% of those over 55 claim that they will add more items to their carts to meet the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK depending on gender

In the UK both genders are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make big purchases, such as electrical and furniture. Both groups are more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products as well as home and garden and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. According to studies 70% of consumers were influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of those customers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local community.

Shoes and clothing are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of British women who shop online purchased these items by 2020. Online sales aren't limited to clothing. Other items such as kitchenware, jewellery and sports equipment are also available.

This is why online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to get the best online shopping groceries uk deals on these items. In fact, some analysts predict that e-commerce sales will account for nearly one third of all retail sales in 2024.

Some retailers are struggling with the rising popularity of online shopping while others are prospering. Online sales are growing in health and wellness, home and garden, and consumer electronics.

The trend of purchasing these items online is expected to continue increase in the coming years. As the number of internet users is growing it is expected that online shopping will become more popular in the future. As online shopping becomes more popular, retailers must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also offer a simple and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK, by region

The UK is a leading European ecommerce market. The customers are influenced by the ease of shopping, the price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it an ideal place for retailers who want to improve their online presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales grew significantly because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases. This trend has continued even after the outbreak as consumers continue to buy online as an alternative.

Online shopping is a major aspect of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could account for three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This is due to the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advances in technology.

In the UK 57% of Online Shopping figures uk shoppers mention convenience as the primary reason for them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who highlight that it is easier to discover special deals and offers, and 37% who say there is a wider range of products available online. In Europe the majority of shoppers mention the lower cost as a primary reason for them to purchase online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly 25% of online shoppers have bought products they've never purchased on the high-street previously, and a majority are willing to try new items when purchasing from an online marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a favorite option for UK shoppers with 29 percent of online shoppers choosing the buy now pay later option in the past year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a crucial aspect of ecommerce. The majority of shoppers (59 percent) will look up the returns policy of a retailer prior purchasing, and a majority will expect the seller to be responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping.