Why Is It So Useful In COVID-19
Online Shopping Figures For the UK
Since its humble beginnings, the online retail market has grown steadily. This is particularly evident in the UK, where ecommerce represents 20% of all retail sales.
Shopping online is a common way for Military Grade Sunglasses consumers to research brands and make purchases. 45percent of customers prefer to "buy online and then pick it up in store". This is a change in consumer habits that brick-and mortar stores should be aware of.
1. Online retail sales in the UK
It's not difficult to see that online retail sales in the UK have seen a significant increase in the last few years. According to 2023's statistics, the B2C e-commerce market is expected to grow to nearly $120 billion by the end of next year. This growth is a result of changing consumer shopping patterns and the adoption by retailers of digital transformation technologies. Bricks and mortar shops are losing popularity as customers increasingly turn to online retailers.
With this in mind, it's crucial for both pureplay and omni channel retailers to know what motivates customers to purchase online. To help you understand this, we've put together an assortment of sales figures and stats that are both eye-opening and revealing.
Fashion is the most popular retail industry in the UK accounting for 28 percent of all ecommerce sales. This is likely due to the wider range of products available and the convenience of being able to try on clothes without having to leave your home. Electronics is second with 16% of sales made through e-commerce. This is likely due to the constant demand for new gadgets and the need to keep up with the most recent technology. Hobbies and leisure items are also a favorite purchase online, with 15% of all online sales.
When asked about the reason they shop online, 57% cited convenience. This is followed by 48% who pointed to price comparison and 37% indicated they were seeking special deals or discounts. These results suggest that shoppers in the UK are less driven by price than their European counterparts, and are more focused on convenience and a large variety of products.
2. Online shopping in the UK
Online shopping has become a daily part of life for many UK residents. It doesn't matter if it's for groceries, electronics or even clothes - more than half of UK residents over the age of 65 have made a purchase on the internet in the past year alone. With a variety of payment options available buyers can also pick the time and date they would like their purchases to be delivered.
Price, convenience and accessibility are among the top reasons why consumers shop online. In fact, 57% cite convenience as the primary reason for shopping online. Additionally, 48% of them cited lower prices, while 37% mentioned a greater selection of choices.
The shopping habits of UK customers are also becoming more environmentally conscious. 79 percent of UK shoppers recycle boxes and other packaging material from their online purchases. They may even take action if they think their purchases aren't being packaged in environmentally friendly ways.
In addition to lessening their environmental impact, a few consumers are also trying to make their online shopping experience more personal. For instance 35 percent of UK shoppers have bought clothing or footwear from a store that has their size information stored on the file. This lets them skip the return process and get what they want faster.
It is interesting to note that UK customers are reported to be more willing than ever before to wait for online orders. This could be due to the fact that UK customers are more used to the longer delivery time and understand the length of time it takes to receive an item through the mail.
3. Online shopping in the UK according to the age range
Shopping online is a huge hit in the UK. The most popular items to purchase are clothes and accessories, followed by food items, and finally media such as music and movies. Shopping online is also popular in the UK during the annual Black Friday and Christmas sales. This is due to the fact that consumers find these events very convenient. Online comparisons of prices and products are also possible when purchasing these items.
It is crucial to understand that online shoppers are diverse and this is why it is crucial for e-commerce companies to know what their customers are looking for when they purchase products. In addition to this, it is also important to be aware of the amount of time each age group spends shopping online. For instance the younger generation is more likely to purchase on mobile devices than any other age group. This is because this age group is very busy and uses multiple devices to accomplish online tasks.
The older generations however tend to have more shrewd buying habits and are less swayed by advertisements on the internet. They are also more likely to visit stores on the high street to look at and feel products prior to making a purchase. However, this doesn't mean they won't buy online. The convenience and ease of online shopping are still very appealing.
A second interesting factor to consider when shopping online is the fact that older generations are more likely than younger generations to anticipate and demand free shipping on all of their purchases. In addition, they tend to drop their carts when they believe that shipping costs are prohibitive. Furthermore, as many as 61% of people over 55 say they'll add more items to their cart in order to get a free delivery threshold.
4. Online shopping in the UK according to gender
Men and women in the UK are equally likely to purchase items online. Women are more likely than men to make large purchases, such as electrical appliances and furniture. Both groups are also more likely to shop for fashion cosmetics, health and 16gb ram kit gaming beauty products 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 research 70% of shoppers were affected by the response of retailers to the COVID-19 outbreak. 69% of shoppers were looking for brands that backed and worked closely with their local communities.
Shoes and clothing are the most sought-after items for online shopping in the UK. In fact, 62 percent of female British online shoppers purchased these items in 2020. Online sales are not restricted to clothing. Other products such as kitchenware, Outdoor Toddler Slide jewellery and sports items are also available.
In the process, online shopping is becoming more popular as a way to get the best deals on these products. In fact, some experts predict that online sales will make up nearly 1/3 of all retail sales by 2024.
While some retailers are struggling to cope with the increase in online shopping, Outdoor Toddler Slide (Vimeo.Com) other are flourishing. Online sales are growing in fashion, health and wellness gardening, home and garden and consumer electronics.
In the future the future, online shopping for these products is expected to increase. As the number of internet users increases it is anticipated that online shopping will become more popular in the future. With the increasing popularity of this method of shopping, it's important for retailers to ensure their sites 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 one of the leading European eCommerce markets. The customers are influenced by convenience, price and a variety of goods when they shop online. These factors make it a great location for retailers to improve their online presence and provide an easy online shopping experience.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, online sales grew dramatically as consumers chose secure and convenient options for shopping. This trend has continued after the pandemic as consumers continue to shop online as an alternative.
Online shopping is a major part of UK retail, and certain estimates suggest that it will comprise one-third of sales by 2024. This is due to increasing consumer adoption of ecommerce and advancements in technology.
In the UK, 57% of shoppers who shop online say convenience is the primary reason for them to shop online. This is followed closely by 48% who state that it is easier to find deals and special offers, and 37% who claim that there's a wider selection of merchandise available online. This is in contrast to Europe where a larger proportion of shoppers cited lower prices as the primary reason for their choice to shop online.
Online shoppers are also willing to try new brands and products. Almost 25% of shoppers online have bought products they've never purchased on the high street previously, and a majority are eager to try new items when purchasing from an online marketplace like Amazon. Pay-as-you-go checkouts are a common choice for UK shoppers with 29% of online shoppers using the buy now pay later option in the last year.
A robust return policy on the internet for the UK is also a crucial aspect of e-commerce. The majority of shoppers (59 percent) will look up the return policy of a retailer prior to purchasing, and more than half will expect a retailer to be responsible for the return and payment shipping.