Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

Many people shop online to research brands before purchasing, and 45% like to "buy online, pick up in stores". This is a fascinating shift in consumer behavior that bricks and mortar stores should pay attention to.

1. Online sales of retail in the UK

It's not difficult to see that sales of online retail in the UK have risen significantly over the past few years. In fact, according to data from 2023, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the year 2023. This growth is fueled by changing consumer shopping habits and the adoption of digital transformation technologies by retailers. In the end, bricks and mortar stores are experiencing a decline in popularity as more consumers prefer online retailers to make their purchases.

In order to do this, it's essential that both pureplay and omni-channel retailers understand what draws consumers to shop online. We've collected statistics and figures on retail sales that are both eye-opening and revealing to help you.

Fashion is the most favored retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all e-commerce sales. This is probably due to a wider selection of products available and the convenience of being in a position to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics comes in second place with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is due to the constant need for new gadgets as well as the desire to stay current with the latest technologies. Online sales of hobbies and leisure products make up 15% of all online sales.

When asked about the factors that drive consumers to shop online 57 percent of UK consumers cited convenience as the primary reason. In addition, 48% of them cited price comparison while 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special deals. These results indicate that UK consumers are less influenced by price 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 part of daily life for many UK customers. It doesn't matter if it's for electronics, groceries or clothes - nearly half of UK residents over 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the last year. Shoppers can choose from a wide range of payment options and choose when and how they want their products delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why customers shop online. In fact, 57% of people cite convenience as the primary reason for shopping online. Another 48% cited lower prices and 37% said they have a wider choice of options.

The shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. For example, 79 percent of UK online shoppers say they recycle boxes and other packaging materials that they use in their purchases. They may even take action if they think their purchases aren't coming in environmentally friendly packaging.

In addition to reducing their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their shopping experiences more personal. For instance 35% of UK customers have bought clothing, footwear, and accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This allows them to skip the return process and get what they want quicker.

Incredibly, UK consumers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be because they are more used to the slow 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 is a huge hit in the UK. The most sought-after purchases are clothes and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media like movies and music. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. These events are extremely convenient for shoppers. It is also easy to compare prices and products on the internet when making these kinds of purchases.

It is important to note that online shoppers are very diverse. This is why it is crucial for e-commerce companies to know what their customers are seeking when they purchase products. Additionally, it is also important to be aware of how much time each age group spends shopping online. The younger generation, for example, is more likely to use mobile devices to shop than other groups. This is due to the fact that this age group is busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.

The older generation tends to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by advertising on the internet. They also prefer to go to shops in the high street to feel and touch products before making a purchase. But this doesn't mean they don't shop online due to the convenience and stress-free nature of online shopping is attractive to them.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to expect and expect free shipping on all their purchases. Additionally, they are more likely to abandon their carts if they believe that shipping costs are excessive. In addition, 61% of over 55s say they'll add additional items to their carts to get the free delivery threshold.

4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender

In the UK, men and women are equally likely to shop online. However women are more likely to make big purchases, like electrical appliances or furniture, than men. Both groups are more likely to purchase fashion, home and garden products as well as 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 studies, 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of consumers searched for brands that were supportive and were in close contact with their local communities.

Shoes and clothing are among the most sought-after items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of female British online shoppers bought these items in 2020. However, online sales aren't restricted to the clothing sector with a wide range of other items available, like kitchenware, jewellery and vimeo sports equipment.

As a result, online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to get the best deals on these products. Some analysts believe that by 2024, ecommerce sales could account for nearly a third of retail sales.

While some retailers are struggling to deal with the rise in online sales, others are thriving. In particular the online market is booming for health, fashion, beauty as well as gardening and home and consumer electronic.

In the future the online shopping market for these products is expected to increase. As the number of people who use the internet increases it is anticipated that online shopping will increase in popularity in the near future. As online shopping grows more popular, merchants must ensure that their sites are optimized for mobile devices. They should also provide a simple and secure checkout process.

5. Online shopping in the UK by region

The UK is a top European online retail market. When it comes to online shopping the customers of the UK are influenced primarily by convenience, price, and the wide variety of products. These factors make it an ideal spot for retailers who wish to improve their online presence and provide an easy shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales increased dramatically as people opted 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.

Online shopping is a major aspect of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could account for three-quarters of retail sales by 2024. This growth is a result of the growing acceptance of e-commerce by customers and technological advancements.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers say convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. This is followed by 48% who say that it is easier to find deals and special offers as well as 37% who claim that there's a wider selection of merchandise available online. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger percentage of shoppers stated lower prices as the primary reason for their choice to shop online.

Online shoppers are also willing to test new brands and Vimeo products. Online shoppers are open to trying new brands and products. Half of them are willing to try them when they shop on marketplaces such as Amazon. Buy now pay later checkouts are a popular choice for UK customers, with 29 percent of online shoppers choosing a buy now pay later option in the last year.

A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also an important aspect of ecommerce. The majority of shoppers (59 percent) will look up a retailer's returns policy before buying, and nearly half will expect a retailer to be responsible for both organizing and paying for return shipping.