Why UK Shoppers Are More Likely to Shop Online
Online shopping has taken over the world and has become the most popular form of shopping in many countries. In particular, many UK shoppers only shop online, buying everything from groceries to Lacoste trainers and collectables.
There are multiple reasons for the surge in online shopping, with everything between conveniences and discounts playing a major part.
Convenience
Speaking of convenience, it is arguably the biggest reason online shopping in the UK is so popular. Shoppers in big cities like London or Manchester often don’t own cars, and lugging your groceries on the train or a bus is a hassle.
Being able to just sit at home and order everything you need without having to set foot outside is particularly useful for those without cars, those who are busy, or those who work unusual hours.
Variety
This is self-explanatory, but you can only buy what they sell when you go to a store. When you are shopping online, you can buy anything from almost anywhere. Amazon is the best example of having access to thousands of different brands, all just a click away.
Price
Many online stores will offer products at a lower price compared to brick-and-mortar stores. This is due to the online stores not having to pay rent or maintenance on their space and often not having the same amount of employees.
A lower price becomes a more significant plus when shopping for foreign goods, as they are almost always more expensive than products made in the UK. However, while these foreign goods still aren’t incredibly cheap, they are more affordable than you would find them in-store.
Sales & Discounts
Online stores are the home of sales and discounts. More often than not, an online store will have some sort of discount or sale going on. These sales are usually made sweeter with simple things like signing up for a newsletter or following the store on social media.
You can also get free delivery or a free gift-with-purchase if you spend over a certain amount when buying online. Compared to shopping in a store, they don’t give you money for fuel when you shop there; you are still paying for delivery.
Online Exclusives
Online exclusives have become a popular trend amongst online stores. These are items you won’t find in the brick-and-mortar store and are usually used to get people to sign up for an online account.
Appeal to Single Parents & the Elderly
A big factor driving online shopping is its use by single parents and the elderly. Both these groups are often short on time or simply can’t get out of the house due to a lack of supervision.
Online shopping has helped single parents, whether working or not, to get fresh produce into their homes and not have to turn to fast food. They may not have the time to get to the shop regularly, but they can place an order from home.
In the UK, many elderly people live alone or with a partner that can’t get around like they once were able to. Being able to shop online allows them to get what they need and not rely on friends or family to do it for them.
Loyalty Points
Loyalty points are not only a way to save money but also a way to maintain a customer base and keep them coming back. Many online stores will offer a loyalty point or loyalty system that will save you money in the long run.
Payment Options
Finally, online stores have far more payment options than regular stores. Storefronts can offer cash, debit or credit card and almost always nothing more. On the other hand, online stores allow you to use Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, debit or credit card.
In addition to that, they also offer payment schemes. Klarna is a payment system that is taking over online stores and allows you to buy goods online and pay them off over a predetermined amount of time. For example, you can pay off a £100 payment in four instalments of £25 across two months.
PayPal credit allows you to pay off the total in four months interest-free. These options give more people additional payment flexibility, making them more likely to shop online.
This is a submitted article.
