Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Shopping online is a common method for consumers to research brands and make purchases. About 45% of consumers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in store". This is a shift in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar shops should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

It's not a secret that retail sales online have grown substantially in the UK in recent years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C market for online shopping is expected to reach $120 billion in the next year. This increase is the result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the widespread adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. In the end bricks and mortar shops are seeing a decline in popularity as more consumers turn to online stores for their purchases.

To do this, it is important that both pureplay and Online Shopping figures uk omni-channel retailers know what drives shoppers to purchase online. To help you do this, we've compiled an assortment of retail sales figures and other statistics that are both eye-opening and shocking.

Fashion is the most sought-after retail sector in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is likely due to the availability of a wider range of merchandise and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is second with 16% of e-commerce sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new devices, as well as the desire to keep up with the latest technology. Hobbies and leisure items are also a popular purchase online, accounting for 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% of respondents mentioned convenience. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison, while 37% said they were looking for discounts or special offers. These findings suggest that consumers in the UK are less price driven than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a broad variety of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a part of daily life for many UK consumers. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase on the internet in the past year. Shoppers can choose from a range of payment options and choose when and how they want their purchases delivered.

Convenience, price and availability are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main reason for their shopping habits. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as an additional benefit, while 37% mentioned a wider range of choices as well.

Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more environmentally conscious. For example 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials from their purchases. They might even take action if feel their deliveries are not coming in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experience more personal. For instance, 35% of UK shoppers have bought clothes, footwear, or accessories from a store that has their size information on file. This allows them to skip the return process and get what they want faster.

Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This may be because they are used to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for an item to be delivered in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age range

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most popular purchases, followed by groceries, and entertainment such as movies and music. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are very convenient for consumers. It is also simple to compare prices and products online when making these kinds of purchases.

It is crucial to remember that online shoppers are very diverse, which makes it essential for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are looking for when they purchase products. It is also important to know how much time each segment of customers spends online. The younger generation, for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than any other age group. This is because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation on the other hand tend to have more conservative buying habits and are less swayed by the online ads. They also prefer to visit high-end stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online, as the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is still very appealing to them.

Another interesting aspect to consider when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to expect and demand free shipping on all their purchases. They are also more likely to drop carts if shipping charges seem excessive. Furthermore, as many as 61% of people over 55 say that they will add more items to their cart in order to reach a 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 large purchases like electrical and furniture. Both groups are also more likely to purchase fashion, health and beauty as well as 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 influenced by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of shoppers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are the most sought-after items to buy online shopping figures uk in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in the year 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to clothing, with a variety of other products on sale, like kitchenware, jewellery and sports goods.

Online shopping has become more popular for finding the best online shopping sites in uk for clothes deals. In fact, some analysts have predicted that e-commerce sales will make up nearly 1/3 of all retail sales by 2024.

Some retailers are struggling with the rise of online shopping, while others are thriving. Particularly, online sales are booming for health, fashion and beauty as well as gardening and home, and consumer electronic.

The trend of buying these items online is expected to continue increase in the years ahead. With the number of people having access to the internet growing, it is anticipated that increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the coming years. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it is crucial for retailers to ensure that 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 major European ecommerce market. When it comes to online shopping, the UK's consumers are influenced by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it a perfect location for retailers to improve their online presence and offer a seamless online shopping experience.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew dramatically because consumers were looking for safe and convenient options for shopping. This trend has continued even after the pandemic, as consumers continue to shop online as an alternative.

Online shopping is an important aspect of UK retail and certain estimates suggest that it will comprise a third of retail sales by 2024. This growth is driven by the growing popularity of e-commerce among consumers and technological advancements.

57% of UK online shoppers believe that convenience is the primary reason they shop online. This is 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 available online. This contrasts with 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. Online shoppers are open to trying new products and brands. Half of them are willing to try new brands when they shop on marketplaces like Amazon. UK customers are awed by the buy now, pay later checkouts. 29% of online buyers have used this option in the past year.

A strong online return policy for the UK is also a key aspect of ecommerce. A majority of online buyers (59 percent) check the return policy of the retailer prior to buying, and nearly half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.