Online Shopping Figures For the UK

Since its humble beginnings, the online retail market has grown steadily. This is particularly evident in the UK where ecommerce accounts for 20% of retail sales.

Shopping online is a common way for consumers to explore brands and purchase. 45% of them prefer to "buy online and pick up in-store". This is a change in consumer habits that brick-and mortar shops must be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that online sales of merchandise have grown substantially in the UK over recent years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion next year. This growth is fueled by changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result bricks and mortar stores are seeing a decline in popularity as more customers are turning to online retailers to make their purchases.

In order to do this, it is important that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. To help you do this, we've put together an assortment of sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and informative.

Of all the retail sectors, fashion is the most popular, accounting for 28 percent of all sales made through e-commerce in the UK. This is probably due to the wider range of items accessible and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without having to leave home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely because of the constant demand for new devices and the desire to stay current with the latest technology. Leisure and hobbies are also popular items to purchase on the internet, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% cited convenience. This is followed by 48% who cited price comparison, and 37% who stated they were looking for special discounts or offers. These findings 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

Online shopping is becoming a part of the daily routine for many UK customers. Nearly half of UK people aged 65 and older have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. With a wide range of payment options available buyers can also pick the time and date they would like their items to be delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons consumers shop online. In fact, 57% cite convenience as the primary reason for purchasing online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as a advantage, while 37% cited an increased selection of choices as well.

The habits of online shopping among UK customers are also becoming more eco-conscious. For instance 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials that they use in their purchases. They may even take action if they think their purchases aren't being delivered in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to decreasing their impact on the environment, some customers are also seeking to make their which online stores ship internationally shopping experience more personal. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothes, footwear, or accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored on file. This allows them to skip the return process, and to get what they want faster.

It is interesting to consider that UK customers are reported to be more eager than ever to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are used to the longer 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 according to the age range

Shopping online in the UK is a very popular pastime for a lot of people. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media like movies and music. Shopping online is very popular in the UK, especially 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 simple to compare prices and products online when making these kinds of 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 the demographics their customers are seeking when they purchase products. In addition it is crucial to be aware of how much time each age group spends shopping 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 constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generation are, however, likely to have more cautious buying habits and are less swayed by online advertising. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. This does not mean they won't shop online. The convenience and ease of online shopping remain very appealing.

A second interesting factor to take into consideration when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and demand online shopping figures uk free shipping on all of their purchases. In addition, they tend to drop their carts when they believe that shipping costs are excessive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 claim that they will add additional items to their carts to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK by gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to shop for items online. Women are more likely than men to make big purchases such as furniture and electrical appliances. Both groups tend to spend more on clothing household and garden products consumer electronics, as well as products for beauty and health.

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 consumers were looking for brands that backed and were in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are among the most requested items to buy online in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing, with a variety of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports equipment.

Shopping online has become increasingly popular to find most affordable deals. Some experts predict that by 2024, online sales could make up almost one third of retail sales.

While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online sales, others are thriving. Online sales are growing in fashion, health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronic.

In the near future, online shopping for these items is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people having access to the internet growing it is anticipated that more people will turn to online shopping in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it's essential for retailers to make sure their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they offer an easy and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a leading European online retail market. The majority of its customers are influenced the ease of shopping, the price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it an ideal spot for retailers who wish to improve their online presence and provide a seamless shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales increased dramatically as consumers opted for safe and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases. This trend has remained in place post-pandemic as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a large portion of the UK retail economy, with some estimates suggesting that it will comprise three-quarters of all 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 shoppers who shop online clothes shopping near me mention convenience as the primary factor driving 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 claim that there is a wider range of products that are available online. This is in contrast to Europe, where a greater percentage of consumers cited lower prices as the main reason behind their choice to shop online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Online consumers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of people are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of online shoppers have made use of this option in the last year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a crucial aspect of e-commerce. The majority of online shopping figures Uk buyers (59 percent) will check a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and more than half will expect the seller to be responsible for both arranging and paying for return shipping.