Online Shopping Figures For the UK

The market for online retailers has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings. This is evident especially in the UK where ecommerce is responsible for 20% of all retail sales.

Shopping online is a popular method for consumers to look up brands and make purchases. About 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and pick up in-store". This is an interesting change in consumer behaviour that bricks-and-mortar stores should take note of.

1. Retail sales online in the UK

It's hard to deny that online retail sales in the UK have grown significantly in the last few years. According to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to reach nearly $120 billion by next year. This increase is the result of shifting consumer habits and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are gaining popularity as shoppers increasingly shop online.

In order to do this, it's essential that both omni-channel and pureplay retailers know what drives customers to buy online. We've put together statistics and figures for retail sales that are both eye opening and revealing to help you.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail industry in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the wide variety of items and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving your home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant need for new gadgets and a desire to stay up-to-date with latest technology. Online sales of leisure and hobby products represent 15% of all online sales.

When asked what drives shoppers to shop online, 57% of UK customers cited convenience as the primary driver. Then, 48% cited price comparison and 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special deals. These results indicate that UK shoppers are less driven by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused upon convenience and a wide product variety.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Online shopping has become a daily part of life for many UK residents. About half of UK people aged 65 and older have made an online purchase in the past year. With a wide range of payment methods available, shoppers can also choose the best time and method for their goods to be delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% of online shoppers mention convenience as the primary driver behind their shopping habits. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices, while 37% mentioned a greater choice of options.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious in their shopping online. For instance 79 percent of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They can take action if their orders are not packaged in an eco ecologically friendly way.

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 retailer that has their size information stored on the file. This allows them to avoid the return process and get what they want quicker.

It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are more 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 group

Shopping online in the UK is a popular activity for vimeo a lot of people. Accessories and clothing are the most sought-after purchases followed by food items, and entertainment such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is because customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. It is also easy to compare prices and items online when making these types of purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse, which makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand the demographics their customers are seeking when they purchase products. It is also important to understand how much time each type of consumer spends online. For example, the younger generation is more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very constrained in time and will utilize multiple devices to complete online tasks.

The older generations on the other hand tend to have more conservative purchasing habits and are less influenced by advertisements on the internet. They also prefer visiting high-end stores to touch and feel products before making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online because the convenience and ease of use of online shopping is attractive to them.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it concerns online shopping is that the older generation is more likely to anticipate and Vimeo expect free delivery on all purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Furthermore 61% of those over 55 say they'll 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 shop for goods on the internet. However, women are more likely to make large purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture than men. Both groups tend to spend more on fashion household and garden products, consumer electronics, and 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 influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 crisis. 69% of customers searched for brands that were supportive 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 bought these items in the year 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to the clothing sector, with a variety of other products available such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports goods.

In the process, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular as a way to find the best prices on these items. Some analysts believe that by 2024, the sales from e-commerce could be almost one third of retail sales.

While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, others are flourishing. Online sales are booming in health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronic.

In the future the future, online shopping for these items is expected to increase. As the number of internet users continues to grow it is anticipated that online shopping will be more popular in the near future. With the growing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices and that they provide a secure and easy checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is among the leading European ecommerce markets. Its consumers are influenced by convenience, price and a vast selection of products when they shop online. These factors make it an ideal location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically as consumers opted for safe and convenient alternatives to in-store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to use online shopping as an attractive alternative.

Shopping online is a large part of the UK retail industry, with some estimates suggesting that it will account for one-third of all retail sales by 2024. This is due to increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and Vimeo technological advancements.

57% of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the main reason they shop online. The 48 percent who claim it's easier to find deals and special deals as well as the 37% who say there is a greater range of products online are closely behind. This contrasts with Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers cited lower prices as the main reason behind their decision to shop online.

The online shoppers are also keen to test new brands and products. Almost a quarter of online shoppers have bought items they've never seen on the high-street before, and half are willing to test new items when purchasing from the marketplaces like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29 percent of buyers who shop online have made use of this option during the last year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also an important aspect of e-commerce. The majority of buyers (59%) check the return policy of a retailer prior to buying, and more than half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.