Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The online retail market has been growing continuously since its inception. This is particularly evident in the UK where e-commerce accounts for 20% of all retail sales.

Many shoppers use online shopping to research brands prior to purchasing and 45% of them prefer to "buy online, then pick up in store". This is a shift in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar shops must be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that sales on retail websites have risen significantly in the UK over recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion by the end of the year. This increase is the result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. In the end bricks and mortar shops are experiencing a decline in popularity as more customers are turning to online stores for their purchases.

To do this, it's crucial that both pureplay and omni-channel retailers know what drives customers to buy online. We've put together retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.

Of all the retail sectors that are available, fashion is the most well-known and accounts for 28% of all e-commerce sales in the UK. This is likely due to the availability of a wider selection of products and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics is the second most popular item, vimeo.Com accounting for 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with latest technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products account for 15% of all ecommerce sales.

When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% said it was because of convenience. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison and 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special offers. These findings indicate that UK shoppers are less price-driven than their European counterparts, and are more focused upon convenience and a broad product selection.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a regular aspect of life for a lot of UK residents. Be it for electronics, groceries or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the past year alone. With a wide range of payment options available buyers can also pick how and when they want their items to be delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of shoppers cite convenience as the primary reason to shop online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as a advantage, while 37% cited an increased selection of options as well.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious in their shopping online. 79% of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their online purchases. They may decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in a sustainable friendly manner.

Some consumers want to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not only trying to reduce their environmental impact but also reduce their carbon footprint. For instance 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, or accessories from a store that has their measurements on file. This lets them avoid the return process and get what they want faster.

It is interesting to consider that UK shoppers have been reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This may be because they are more used to the slower delivery times and are more aware of the time it takes for the item to be delivered via the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK by age group

Shopping online in the UK is a popular activity for a Large Size Scrub Tops number of people. The most popular items to purchase are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries and then media such as music and movies. Shopping online is very popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Vimeo.com Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. Online comparisons of prices and products are also possible when making these purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse and this makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are looking for when it comes to purchasing products. It is also important to know how much time each segment of customers spends online. For example the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generations however tend to have more conservative purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They are also more likely to visit high street stores to see and touch products before making an purchase. However, this doesn't mean they don't shop online because the convenience and ease of online shopping is still attractive to them.

Another important aspect to consider when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and expect free shipping on all of their purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping costs seem excessive. In addition, 61% of people over 55 say that they will add more items to their carts to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK by gender

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

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

Shoes and clothing are among the most sought-after items for online shopping in the UK. In fact 62% of British women who shop online bought these items by the year 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to clothing with a wide range of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports equipment.

Shopping online is becoming increasingly popular to find the most affordable bargains. In fact, some analysts predict that e-commerce sales will make up nearly 1/3 of all retail sales by 2024.

While some retailers struggle to cope with the increase in online shopping, others are flourishing. Online sales are growing in health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronic.

In the near future the online shopping market for these items is expected to continue to grow. As the number of people who use the internet continues to grow it is expected that online shopping will increase in popularity in the future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it's essential for retailers to make sure their sites 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 among the top European online marketplaces. The majority of its customers are influenced convenience, price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and offer a seamless shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued after the outbreak as consumers continue to shop online as an alternative.

Shopping online is a significant aspect of UK retail, and some estimates suggest that it could account for a third of retail sales by 2024. This is due to increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advances in technology.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main reason they shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find bargains and special deals and the 37% who say there's a wider selection of items available online are behind. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of consumers said that lower prices were the primary reason for their choice to shop online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. About a quarter of online shoppers have bought products they have never bought in a store before, and half are willing to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now and pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have used this option during the last year.

In addition to this an effective return policy is a crucial aspect of the ecommerce environment in the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59%) will research the return policy of a retailer prior to buying, and nearly half will expect the retailer to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.