| Warm to it or shy away from it, online retailing is moving in one direction whatever the state of the economy as a whole. According to Verdict Research, online consumer spending increased by 35% to £14.7bn in 2007, a growth rate massively above the UK’s retail market. Sky News recently reported that more than £26bn was spent online in the UK in the first half of 2008 - up 38% on the same period in 2007, despite the credit crunch. Forecasters are predicting annual online retail sales of £44.9bn by 2012.
It’s no fad. The success of online retailing is down to what consumers
see in it:
- convenience: it helps them make better use of their leisure time - buying online is
quicker
- value: many people regard online shopping as cheaper than the High Street – an
easier way of finding bargains
- sustainability: over half believe shopping online is more
environmentally friendly.
Many retailers are still coming to terms with the fact that out of every £1 spent by British shoppers, 17p is now going to online retailers. It is roughly equivalent to half of all supermarket sales, and larger than all retail sales for clothing and footwear (IMRG Cap Gemini e-retail index). Quite simply, consumers are switching away from traditional shops in favour of picking and paying at their home computer.
So where is this all leading? Making it personal, one prediction shows the typical spend of an online shopper by 2011 will be £1,056 per year – most of that growth coming from clothing and footwear, DIY and gardening, food and grocery.1 Of course, this means a worrying time for many retailers, especially those without an adequate online presence. While there is still a place for shops, the key is to ensure there is a close link between your online presence and traditional marketing - one supports the other.
 …Consumers are confident about internet shopping. OK, so disposable income is falling - people are looking to get the most out of the pound in their pocket.
But, isn’t your online website the perfect opportunity to give added value to your customers?…  |
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When online shopper spending moves from 17p to 20p, there will be no going back. Now is the time to capitalise on these momentous changes in shopping habits. The cost of broadband is falling. Consumers are confident about internet shopping. OK, so disposable income is falling - people are looking to get the most out of the pound in their pocket. But, isn’t your online website the perfect opportunity to give added value to your customers?
At ashine, we know how to build effective and easy-to-use e-commerce sites. We will also advise you on how to run a business online and how to integrate the marketing activities of both your site and shop.
For a really good example of a successful e-commerce site, go to www.raybrowns.co.uk
Worried about the growth of online shopping?
Don’t be.
Take advantage of these changes in consumer habits.
Ask ashine.
Contact us Email:
Tel: 01789 264500
1 Verdict Research.
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