Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its infancy the market for online shopping has grown steadily. This is especially evident in the UK where e-commerce is responsible for 20% of retail sales.
Many people shop online to research brands before making a purchase, and 45% like to “buy online, pick up in store”. This is a fascinating shift in the way people shop that bricks-and-mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It’s not difficult to see that online retail sales in the UK have risen significantly over the past few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by next year. This growth is driven by the changing habits of consumers and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. As a result, bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as more customers are turning 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. We’ve collected statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.
Fashion is the most popular retail sector in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all online sales. This is likely due to the availability of a larger selection of products and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving home. Electronics comes in second, with 16% of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure items are also a popular purchase online, accounting for 15% of all online sales.
When asked about the reason 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 findings suggest that consumers in the UK are less influenced by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a broad product range.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Shopping online is a common part of the lives of many UK residents. Nearly half of UK people aged 65 and older have made an online purchase in the last year. With a wide range of payment methods available buyers can also pick how and Vimeo when they want their items to be delivered.
Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons customers shop online. In fact 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary motive behind their shopping. Then, 48% cited lower prices as another advantage, while 37% cited the availability of more options as well.
UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious with regards to their online shopping habits. 79% of UK customers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They can decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in a sustainable ecologically friendly way.
Some consumers want to make their online shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer who stores their Queen Size Pillows information. This allows them to skip the return process and get what they want quicker.
Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that British consumers are more accustomed to the longer delivery time and understand how long it takes to receive an item in the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK in accordance with age group
Shopping online in the UK is a very popular pastime for many people. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories followed by food items, and finally media such as music and movies. Online shopping is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are very practical for shoppers. Comparisons of prices and products are also feasible when making these purchases.
It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse and this makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their target market is seeking when they purchase products. It is also essential to know how long each group of shoppers spends online. For instance, the younger generation is far more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that the younger generation has less time and uses a variety of devices to complete online tasks.
The older generation on the other hand tend to have more shrewd purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a final decision. But this doesn’t mean they won’t buy online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is still extremely appealing to them.
Another interesting aspect to be considered when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts when shipping costs appear excessive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say that they will add more items to their cart to reach the free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
Men and women in the UK are equally likely to purchase products online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase fashion, health and beauty, 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 affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of consumers searched for brands that were supportive and collaborated with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are among the most requested items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of British women who shop online will purchase these items by 2020. However, online sales aren’t restricted to the clothing sector and there are a myriad of other items available, including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports items.
Shopping online has become more popular for finding the best bargains. Some experts predict that by 2024, ecommerce sales could account for more than a third of all retail sales.
Some retailers are struggling with the growth of online shopping, while others are prospering. In particular the rise of online sales for health, fashion and beauty as well as gardening and home as well as consumer electronic.
In the future the future, online shopping for these products is expected to continue to grow. With the number of people having access to the internet increasing It is expected that more customers will opt for online shopping in the coming years. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices and 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 they shop online, the UK’s consumers are influenced by convenience, price, and the variety of items. These factors make it an ideal location for retailers to improve their online presence and offer an easy online shopping experience.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales increased dramatically as people sought out safer and more convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to embrace online shopping as an attractive alternative.
Online shopping is an important aspect of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could make up one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and advancements in technology.
In the UK 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary factor driving them to shop online. The 48 percent who say it’s easier to find deals and special offers, and the 37% who say there is a greater range of products online are closely behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of consumers stated 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. Nearly 25% of online shoppers have bought items they’ve never purchased in a store previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a popular choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of shoppers using the buy now pay later option in the last year.
Additionally, a strong online return policy is a crucial aspect of the online shopping landscape in the UK. The majority of buyers (59%) look up the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and nearly half expect the retailer to arrange and pay for Wheel Spacer Compatibility return shipping.