Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to "buy online, pick up in store". This is a shift in the way people shop that brick-and-mortar stores should be aware of.

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that online sales of merchandise have grown dramatically in the UK in recent years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C online market is predicted to reach almost $120 billion in the next year. This growth is driven by shifting consumer habits and the use of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more customers prefer online retailers for their purchases.

To achieve this, it is important that both pureplay and omni-channel retailers know what drives consumers to shop online. To help you understand this, we've created an assortment of sales figures and statistics that are both eye-opening as well as shocking.

Fashion is the most popular retail sector in the UK with 28 percent of all online sales. This is likely due to the wide variety of items and the convenience of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics comes in second with 16% of all online sales. This is probably due to the constant need for new gadgets and the desire to keep up 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% of respondents mentioned convenience. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison, and 37% who said they were looking for special discounts or 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 variety of products.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is now a regular part of life for many UK residents. Nearly half of UK residents aged 65 or older have made a purchase online within the last year. Shoppers can select from a range of payment options and also decide when and how they want their purchases delivered.

Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% cite convenience as their primary reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices as an additional advantage, while 37% cited the availability of more choices as well.

UK consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious when it comes to their online shopping habits. 79 percent of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They may even take action if feel their deliveries are not being delivered in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to decreasing their environmental impact, some consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experiences more personal. For example, 35 percent of UK customers have bought clothes, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information saved. This lets them bypass the return process and obtain what they want faster.

It is interesting to consider that UK customers are reported to be more willing than ever to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that they are more accustomed to the longer delivery times and are more aware of how long it takes for an item to arrive in the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK by the age group

Shopping online in the UK is a favorite pastime for many people. The most popular purchases are clothing and accessories, followed by Premium Parrot Food Large Bag items, and finally media such as music and movies. Shopping online is very popular in the UK, especially during the annual Bedroom Wall Mirror Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that customers find these sales to be extremely convenient. Comparisons of prices and products are also possible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse and this makes it crucial for ecommerce businesses to understand what their customers are seeking when they purchase products. In addition, it is also important to know how much time each age group is spending shopping online. For instance, the younger generation is more likely to shop using mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is time-poor and will use multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation tends to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also tend to visit high street stores to see and touch items before making purchases. This doesn't mean that they will not buy online. The convenience and ease of shopping online remain very appealing.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when it is about online shopping is that older generations are more likely to demand and expect free delivery on all their purchases. In addition they tend to drop their carts when they believe that shipping costs are excessive. In addition, 61% of those over 55 say they will add more items to their carts to reach the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

Both genders in the UK are equally likely to shop for items online. However women are more likely to make large purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups are also more likely to purchase fashion, health and beauty, 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 affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 epidemic. 69% of those shoppers were looking for brands that backed and collaborated with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are the most sought-after items to buy online in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to clothing and there are a myriad of other products available including jewellery, kitchenware, and sports items.

This is why online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to find the best prices on these products. Some experts believe that by 2024, online sales could make up almost one third of retail sales.

While some retailers struggle to deal with the rise in online shopping, other are flourishing. Particularly, online sales are booming for health, fashion and beauty as well as gardening and home as well as consumer electronics.

The trend for buying these products online is expected to continue to expand in the years ahead. As the number of internet users continues to grow, it is expected that online shopping will be more popular in the near future. As online shopping is becoming more popular, retailers must ensure that their websites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide 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 by price, convenience, and a variety of products. These factors make it an ideal spot for retailers who wish to improve their web presence and offer an easy shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, online sales grew dramatically because consumers were looking for safe and convenient alternatives to store purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic, as consumers continue to choose online shopping as an attractive alternative.

Online shopping is a significant part of the UK retail economy Some estimates suggest that it could account for one-third of all retail sales in 2024. This growth is fueled by the increasing popularity of ecommerce among consumers and technological advancements.

In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online mention convenience as the primary factor driving them to shop online. This is closely followed by 48% who say that it is easier to discover special deals and offers as well as 37% who say there's a greater variety of merchandise available online. This is in contrast to Europe, where a greater percentage of shoppers cited lower prices as the main reason behind their purchase online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. Nearly a quarter of online shoppers have bought items they've never seen in a store before, and half are willing to test new products when shopping on a marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK shoppers with 29 percent of shoppers using a buy now pay later option in the past year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also a key aspect of ecommerce. The majority of online shoppers (59 percent) go through the return policy of a retailer prior to purchasing, and nearly half of them expect the seller to arrange and pay for return shipping.