Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The market for online retail has grown exponentially since its inception. This is particularly evident in the UK where e-commerce is responsible for 20% of retail sales.

Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands before making a purchase, and 45% like to "buy online, pick up in store". This is a change in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online sales of retail in the UK

It's not a secret that retail sales online have grown dramatically in the UK over recent years. In fact, according to 2023's statistics the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by next year. This growth is driven by shifting consumer habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar shops are seeing a decline in popularity as more customers are turning to online retailers to make 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 collected retail sales figures and stats that are both eye opening and revealing to help you.

Of all the sectors of retail of which fashion is the most popular and accounts for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a larger selection of products and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is the second most popular item, accounting for 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant demand for new gadgets and the need to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison while 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special offers. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less driven by price than their European counterparts and are more focused on convenience and a large product range.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping is becoming a part of daily life for many UK consumers. It doesn't matter if it's for groceries, electronics, or fashion - almost half of UK residents over 65 have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. With a wide variety of payment methods available, shoppers can also choose how and when they want their goods to be delivered.

There are many reasons for online shoppers to shop among them, the most popular are convenience price, availability, and price. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as their main reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as a benefit, while 37% mentioned the availability of more options as well.

Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious. 79 percent of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may even take action if believe that their packages are not being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.

In addition to lessening their environmental impact, a few customers are also seeking to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For example, 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothing or footwear from a store that has their size information stored on the file. This lets them bypass the return process and get what they want quicker.

Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more likely to wait for online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that British shoppers are more accustomed to the slower delivery time and understand how long it takes to receive an item via the mail.

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

Online shopping is very popular in the UK. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media such as music and movies. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is because customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. Online comparisons of prices and products are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse. This is why it is crucial for e-commerce businesses to understand what their target market is looking for when they purchase products. Additionally it is crucial to be aware of the amount of time each age group spends shopping online. The younger generation, for instance is more likely to use mobile devices to shop 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 visiting high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of shopping online are still appealing.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it comes to online shopping is that the older generations are more likely to anticipate and demand free delivery on all purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping costs seem excessive. In addition, 61% of over 55s claim that they will add more items to their shopping carts in order to get a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK by gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases such as electrical and furniture. Both groups are also more likely to purchase fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products, home and garden, and consumer electronics.

In addition, UK consumers are increasingly looking for businesses that are environmentally-friendly and community-based. Studies have shown that 70% of shoppers are influenced by the way a company responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with 69% of these looking for brands that support and work closely with their local communities.

Clothing and shoes are the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in the year 2020. Online sales are not restricted to clothing. Other items like jewellery, kitchenware and sports items are also available.

As a result, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a method to get the best deals on these items. Some analysts predict that by 2024, online sales could make up almost one third of retail sales.

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

In the future, Wine Tasting Accessory online shopping for these products is expected to increase. As the number of internet users is growing, it is expected that online shopping will become more popular in the near future. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers 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 among the top European online marketplaces. Its consumers 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 to invest in their online presence and offer an effortless shopping experience online.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew significantly as people sought out safe and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued after the pandemic as consumers continue to shop online as an alternative.

Shopping online is a significant aspect of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it could account for one-third of sales by 2024. This is due to the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and advances in technology.

In the UK 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary reason they shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who state that it is easier to find deals and special offers, and 37% who claim that there's a greater variety of products that are available online. In Europe the majority of shoppers mention lower prices as a major factor for their decision to buy online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Online shoppers are open to trying new brands and products. Half of them are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are in love with the buy now and Durable Moving Boxes Large pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option in the last year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also a crucial aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online buyers (59%) will research a retailer's returns policy before buying, and nearly half will expect a retailer to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.