The UK has a new weekly ritual – and no, it’s not going to church every Sunday with Nan. Consumers are heavily increasing their online shopping quota, with over a quarter making at least one purchase a week.
An article by Post&Parcel has brought something important to our attention: online shopping is the next big thing. (Something I think most of us would already suspect!) With its popularity skyrocketing every year, and buyers’ increasing desire for convenient purchasing, it’s becoming more and more evident that this trend is here to stay.
By the Numbers
Here are some online shopping stats that may surprise you.
- Last year, 22% of consumers in the UK shopped via the internet each week. This year? 26%!
- 68% make internet purchases once a month – a whopping two-thirds of the population.
- 3% online shop every day.
And when it comes to delivery subscription schemes (think Amazon Prime)…
- 28% of all Brits are part of one of these schemes.
- 18-24 year olds make up 40% of these subscriptions.
- 37% are 25-34.
- 35% are 35-44.
- Even minors are getting in on it – 27% are 16-17.
Why Should I Care?
Even if you’re not into internet shopping yourself, if you’re a part of the courier industry, it’s important to be aware of this trend. It’s good for business (more online shopping = more deliveries…and who better to make those deliveries than you?), and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. With the younger demographic especially fond of this relatively recent phenomenon, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be around for a while.
With the increasing popularity of online shopping it’s not going to be long before it takes over the world. Do you make use of it, or do you prefer to take the old fashioned route and head down to the shops? If you do make purchases via the internet, what kinds of things do you like to buy? Let us know in the comments.
