UK B2C E-Commerce: Continued Growth in Tricky Times

SUMMARY

Evidence of an economic slowdown is mounting in the UK. But so far e-commerce seems relatively immune to the downturn, due to competitive prices, easy product comparisons, fuel savings and other convenience factors that encourage consumers to shop online.

The UK B2C E-Commerce report analyzes how the challenging economic environment is affecting online versus offline sales revenues.

In 2008, UK business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce sales (including digital downloads and tickets for travel and events) will total £59.8 billion ($116.6 billion), up more than 28% over 2007.

eMarketer expects that online sales will continue to rise steadily and help maintain buoyancy in the UK B2C market overall during the next two years.

Nevertheless, growth in e-commerce will still be dampened to some extent by the gloomy economic climate, particularly in 2009.

Key questions the “UK B2C E-Commerce” report answers:

• How is UK e-commerce faring in the economic downturn?
• What growth is projected for online retail sales over the next five years?
• Who is shopping and buying online in the UK?
• What do UK consumers look for in online retailers?
• And many others....

eMarketer Reports- On Target and Up to Date

The UK B2C E-Commerce report aggregates the latest data from international marketing and communications researchers with eMarketer analysis to provide the information you need to make smart, timely business decisions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

• B2C E-Commerce: UK, 2007-2012
• Key Questions

The eMarketer View

• Key eMarketer Numbers-UK B2C E-Commerce

UK E-Commerce Spending

• B2C E-Commerce: UK, 2007-2012
• UK B2C E-Commerce Sales, 2006 & 2007 (billions of £ and % change)
• UK B2C E-Commerce Sales, First half 2007 & First half 2008 (billions of £ and % change)
• UK Retail E-Commerce Sales, 2002-2012 (billions of £ and % of total retail sales)
• Retail E-Commerce Sales in France, Spain and the UK, 2007 & 2012 (billions of ¬ )

UK E-Commerce in Context

• Offline vs. Online Retail Sales for Select Countries in Europe, 2007 (% of total retail sales)
• Leading Online Categories* Visited by UK Internet Users, Ranked by Time Spent, April 2007 & April 2008 (billions of minutes and % change)

Most-Popular Purchases and Websites

• Select Goods and Services Purchased in the Past Year by UK Adult* Online Buyers, 2006 & 2007 (% of respondents)
• Select Products that UK Internet Users Have Purchased* Online, June-August 2008 (% of respondents)
• UK Retail E-Commerce Sales, by Category, 2007 & 2012 (millions of £ and % change)
• Top 10 B2C E-Commerce Sites in the UK, Ranked by Visits, May 2008
• Top 10 Shopping Rewards and Directories Websites Among UK Internet Users, Ranked by Market Share of Visits, June 2008

Online Shoppers and Buyers

• Timeframe of Last Online Purchase According to UK Adult Online Buyers, by Gender, 2007 (% of respondents)
• Average Amount Spent* by Online Buyers in Select Countries in Western Europe, September 2007
• Comparative Estimates: UK Online Buyers, 2007 (% of Internet users)
• Average Annual Retail E-Commerce Spending per UK Online Buyer, 2002-2007 (£ and % change)
• Top 10 Online Activities of UK Female Internet Users, January 2007 & January 2008 (unique visitors in thousands and % change)
• Average Annual Retail E-Commerce Spending per UK Online Buyer, by Gender and Product Category, 2007
• Seasonal Variations

Online Shopping Habits and Attitudes

• Product Research
  • UK Adult Internet Users Who Start Online Retail and Travel Purchases with a Search Engine, April 2008 (% of respondents)
  • Most Useful Retail E-Commerce Website Features According to UK Online Shoppers*, December 2007 (% of respondents)
  • UK Online Shoppers Who Research Select Product Categories Online Before Purchasing in Store, October 2007 & January 2008 (10-point scale*)
• Customer Service and Satisfaction
  • UK Online Shoppers Who Are Satisfied with Select Features of Online Retail Websites, January 2008 (% of respondents)
• Usability of Retail Sites
• Security
  • Attitudes of Internet Users in France, Germany and the UK Toward Trust and Safety on the Internet, December 2007-January 2008 (% of respondents)
  • Leading Secure Website Features Among UK Online Shoppers, June 2008 (% of respondents)
• Payment Options
  • Top 10 Online Payment Sites Among UK Internet Users, Ranked by Unique Audience, January 2008 (thousands)
• Delivery and Returns

M-Commerce

• Importance of Mobile Internet Access to UK and US Internet Users, May 2008 (% of respondents)
• Satisfaction of UK and US Internet Users with Mobile Internet, May 2008 (% of respondents)
• UK Mobile Entertainment Downloads via Mobile Service Provider Portal vs. Nonportal in Select Content Categories, Q1 2008 (% of total downloads)

Trends to Watch

• New Retail Sectors Find Momentum
• Promoting Cross-Border Shopping
  • Purchases on UK Retail Websites, by Region/Country of Origination, October 2006-September 2007 (% of total)
• Security Remains an Issue
• New Credit Card Regulations

Related Information and Links

• Related Links
• Contact
• Report Contributors