From ChannelAdvisor Catalyst: UK eCommerce Landscape
ChannelAdvisor’s Catalyst event in London this week was a great opportunity to examine the trends and developments in ecommerce in Britain and abroad. Lots of exciting presentations and people were present. And I have a (papery) notebook full of scribbles to blog in the next week or so. Keep ‘em peeled.
David J Smith of the IMRG provided a some interesting facts and figures about the state of UK ecommerce, here are some of the highlights. They provide a good snapshot of where we are and where we’re going. In short: all good news. “Ecommerce will buck retail trends,” he said, “and continue to grow. When the going gets tough, consumers go online.”
- IMRG Index shows that, between April 2000 and end of 2007 British ecommerce has grown 5213%. The total UK spend in 2007 was £46.6bn.
- 15p in the consumer pound is spent online. Despite economic worries, Q108 saw the biggest total spend online of any quarter since inception: £13bn (or £213 per head of population).
Demographics
-The gender breakdown of British online shoppers is (give or take less than 1%): 50/50 Male/Female.
- 21% of online spending comes from women 18-34. 50% of women over 25 buy clothing online.
- The fast growing group of online shoppers are the Over 55s. Over 55s will soon surpass the 35-44 year olds soon as the biggest group of online shoppers.
User Generated Content
UGC, such as customer reviews of goods and services, is becoming increasingly important.
- 71% of online shoppers read customer reviews.
- 70% find them useful
- 78% consider them the most credible form of advertising
- 97% of consumers are willing to trust customer reviews.
Random stats that might amuse…
- On Christmas day 2007, 4m British shoppers spent £84m.
- Marks and Spencer’s online sales enjoyed 78% YoY growth in 2007.
- In December 2007, 24 million parcels were not successfully delivered first time.
Stumble it!