Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Online shopping is a popular way for consumers to explore brands and purchase. 45percent of them prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in store". This is a change in consumer behavior that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Retail sales online in the UK

There's no denying that online sales of merchandise have increased substantially in the UK over recent years. According to data from 2023, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach almost $120 billion in the next year. This is because of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar stores are losing popularity as customers increasingly turn to online retailers.

With this in mind, it's important for both omni channel and pureplay retailers to know what motivates shoppers to buy online. To help you understand this, we've compiled an assortment of retail sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening and revealing.

Fashion is the most popular retail industry in the UK, accounting for 28 percent of all online sales. 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 comes in second place with 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is probably due to the constant need for new gadgets as well as the desire to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Hobbies and leisure products are also popular items to purchase on the internet, accounting for 15% of all online sales.

When asked why they shop online, 57% cited convenience. This is followed by 48% who cited price comparison and 37% said they were seeking special offers or discounts. 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 selection of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a regular part of the lives of many UK residents. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet within the last year. Shoppers can choose from a variety of payment options and also decide the time and method they'd like their purchases delivered.

While there are many reasons for online shoppers to shop among them, the most popular include convenience, price, and availability. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as their primary reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% cited lower prices and 37% said they have a wider variety of options.

The habits of online shopping among UK consumers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For example 79% of UK online Shopping Figures Uk shoppers say they recycle boxes and uk online shoe shopping websites other packaging materials from their purchases. They may take action if their orders are not packaged in an eco green manner.

Some consumers are looking to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not only trying to reduce their environmental impact, but also reduce their carbon footprint. For example, 35 percent of UK shoppers have bought clothing, footwear, or accessories from a retailer with their size information on the file. This allows them to skip the return process, and to purchase what they want faster.

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 UK shoppers are more accustomed to the slow delivery times and understand how long it takes to receive an item in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by groceries, and finally media like movies and music. Online shopping is also very popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for shoppers. It is also simple to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.

It is important to know that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it essential for ecommerce companies to understand the type of customer they are searching for when buying products. In addition, it is also important to know how much time each age group is spending 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 time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer to go to high-end stores to touch and feel products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean that they don't shop online because the convenience and ease of use of online shopping is still extremely appealing to them.

Another interesting factor to consider when it is about online shopping is that the older generation is more likely to anticipate and expect free delivery on all their purchases. Additionally they are more likely to abandon their carts when they believe that shipping costs are too high. In addition, 61% of people over 55 say they'll add more items to their shopping carts in order to reach a free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Women and men in the UK are equally likely to purchase items online. However women are more likely to make large purchases, such as electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and beauty products as well as 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 studies 70% of consumers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of shoppers were looking for brands that backed and worked closely with their local community.

The most sought-after online shopping items in the UK are shoes and clothing. In fact, 62% of British women who shop online purchased these items by 2020. However the online sales don't just apply to the clothing sector, with a variety of other items available, such as kitchenware, jewellery, and sports items.

Shopping online which supermarket is cheapest for online shopping becoming increasingly popular to find the best bargains. Some analysts believe 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 shopping, other are flourishing. Online sales are growing in fashion, health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronic.

The trend of buying online for these items is likely to continue to expand in the coming years. As the number of internet users increases it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the near future. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers should 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 one of the top European ecommerce markets. When shopping online the customers of the UK are influenced primarily by price, convenience, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it a great spot for retailers who wish to invest in their web presence and offer a seamless shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic online sales increased dramatically because consumers were looking for secure and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to use online shopping as an attractive alternative.

Shopping online is a significant part of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it will make up a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and technological advancements.

57% of UK online shoppers say that convenience is the main reason for them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who say that it is easier to discover special deals and offers, and 37% who claim that there is a wider range of merchandise available online. In Europe the majority of shoppers cite lower prices as a major reason for them to buy online.

Consumers are also open to trying new brands and products when they shop online. Almost a quarter of online shoppers have purchased products that they've never purchased in a store previously, and a majority are eager to try new products when they shop on the marketplaces like Amazon. UK shoppers are fond of the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have made use of this option in the last year.

In addition to this an effective return policy is a vital aspect of the online shopping landscape for the UK. The majority of online shoppers (59%) go through the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and more than half expect retailers to arrange and pay for return shipping.