Online Shopping Figures For the UK

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

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

1. Online retail sales in the UK

There's no denying that sales on retail websites have risen substantially in the UK in recent years. According to the 2023 statistics, the B2C online market is predicted to grow to $120 billion by the end of the year. This increase is the result of the changing shopping habits of consumers and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. As a result bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as more customers prefer online retailers to make their purchases.

With this in mind, it's important for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to know what motivates consumers to buy online. We've collected retail sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and informative to assist you.

Fashion which supermarket is cheapest for online shopping the most sought-after retail sector in the UK with 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the availability of a larger range of merchandise and the ease of trying on clothes without leaving the house. Electronics is second with 16% of the sales on e-commerce. This is due to the constant demand for new devices, as well as the desire to stay current with the most recent technology. online shopping figures uk sales of hobbies and leisure products represent 15% of all e-commerce sales.

When asked about the factors that drive customers to shop online 57% of UK customers cited convenience as the primary driver. Then, 48% mentioned price comparison and 37% stated that they were seeking discounts or special deals. These findings suggest that UK consumers are less influenced by price than their European counterparts and are more focused upon convenience and a wide product selection.

2. Online shopping in the UK

Shopping online is a common part of the lives of many UK residents. About half of UK residents aged 65 and older have made an online purchase in the past year. With a wide range of payment options available, shoppers can also choose how and when they want their purchases to be delivered.

Accessibility, convenience, and price are among the top reasons why shoppers shop online. In fact, 57% cite convenience as their main reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices and 37% cited a wider variety of options.

Online shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious. For example 79% of UK online shoppers report recycling boxes and other packaging materials they have purchased from their purchases. They could decide to take action if their purchases are not packaged in an environmentally green manner.

Some consumers want to make their shopping experience more personal. They are not just trying to reduce their environmental impact but also to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, 35 percent of UK customers have purchased clothing, footwear, and Online Shopping Figures Uk accessories from a retailer that has their size information stored. This lets them skip the return process, and get what they need faster.

Incredibly, UK shoppers are reported to be more willing to wait for their online orders than they were during the pandemic. This could be due to the fact that British customers are more used to the longer delivery time and know the length of time it takes to receive an item through the mail.

3. Online shopping in the UK according to age group

Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. Clothing and accessories are among the most popular items, followed by groceries, and media such as music and movies. Shopping online is extremely popular in the UK particularly during the annual Black Friday sales and Christmas sales. These events are extremely practical for shoppers. Comparisons of prices and products are also feasible when making these purchases.

It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are a diverse group. This makes it vital for e-commerce businesses to know what their target audience is seeking when they purchase products. In addition it is crucial to be aware of how much time each age group spends shopping online. For instance the younger generation is far more likely to shop on mobile devices than any other age group. This is due to the fact that this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to complete online tasks.

Older generations tend to be more sceptical about their buying habits and less influenced by online advertisements. They also prefer to go to high-street stores to feel and touch products before making a decision. However, this doesn't mean they will not buy online because the convenience and ease of use of online shopping remains attractive to them.

Another important aspect to take into consideration when shopping online is that older people are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and request free shipping on all their purchases. Additionally, they tend to drop their carts if they believe that shipping costs are too high. Furthermore, as many as 61% of over 55s claim that they will add additional items to their cart in order to meet the threshold of free delivery.

4. Online shopping in the UK by 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 buy fashion products, home and garden items as well as consumer electronics and health and beauty products.

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 crisis. 69% of these customers looked for brands that supported and were in close contact with their local community.

The most sought-after online shopping items in the UK are clothing and shoes. In fact, a whopping 62% of female British online shoppers purchased these items in the year 2020. Online sales are not limited to clothing. Other items like kitchenware, jewellery and sports items are also available.

In the process, online shopping is becoming more popular as a method to find the best prices on these products. Some analysts predict that by 2024, online sales could make up nearly a third of retail sales.

While some retailers struggle to cope with the increase in online shopping, others are flourishing. Online sales are growing in health and wellness as well as home and garden and consumer electronic.

In the future the future, online shopping for these products is expected to increase. With the number of people who have access to the internet increasing it is anticipated that increasing numbers of people will be turning to online shopping in the near future. As online shopping becomes more popular, retailers should ensure that their websites 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 leading European ecommerce market. The majority of its customers are influenced the convenience, affordability and wide range of products when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers looking to invest in their web presence and provide a seamless shopping experience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales grew significantly as people opted for secure and convenient alternatives to instore purchases. This trend has continued post-pandemic as consumers continue to choose online shopping as a viable alternative.

Shopping online is a significant component of UK retail and some estimates suggest that it could account for one-third of sales by 2024. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and technological advancements.

In the UK, 57% of online shoppers cite convenience as the main reason for them to shop online. The 48% who say it's easier to find deals and special deals and the 37% who claim there is a greater range of items available online are behind. In Europe the majority of shoppers cite lower prices as a major factor in their decision to buy online.

Consumers are also willing to try new brands and products when they shop online. About 25% of online shoppers have bought items they've never purchased in a store previously, and a majority are willing to try new products when they shop on a marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a popular choice for UK customers with 29 percent of online shoppers choosing a buy now pay later option over the last year.

A solid return policy for online purchases for the UK is also an important aspect of e-commerce. The majority of online shoppers (59%) will check a retailer's returns policy before purchasing, and more than half will expect the seller to be responsible for organizing and paying for return shipping.