In the second quarter of 2023, mobile phones were the preferred device among online shoppers in the United Kingdom (UK), with 48 percent of shoppers reporting a preference for mobile commerce. Computers followed behind with 40 percent reporting that they prefer their online shopping through laptops and desktops. Only 13 percent of respondents opted for tablets as their go-to device for online shopping.

The eCommerce industry in the United Kingdom was expected to amount to an overall revenue of 129.71 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. It is estimated to increase to 188.84 billion U.S. dollars by 2029. With 39.95 billion U.S. dollars, the fashion segment is forecast to remain the biggest segment in the market.The eCommerce market comprises the sale of physical goods via a digital channel to a private end consumer (B2C). This definition encompasses purchases via desktop computers (including notebooks and laptops) as well as purchases via mobile devices (e.g., smartphones and tablets). The following are not included in the eCommerce market: digitally distributed services (see instead: eServices), digital media downloads or streams, digitally distributed goods in B2B markets, and the digital purchase or resale of used, defective, or repaired goods (reCommerce and C2C). All monetary figures refer to the annual gross revenue and do not factor in shipping costs.Find more key insights for the eCommerce industry such as UK: internet retail sales change y-o-y by sector 2022, UK: internet retail sales value index 2022, and UK: internet retail sales growth y-o-y by sector 2022.

Use of information and communication technology (ICT) and e-commerce activity by UK businesses. Annual data on e-commerce sales and how businesses are using the internet.

In 2023, e-commerce sales in the United Kingdom had a growth of 4.8 percent, much higher than the negative 7.2 percent seen in the previous year. In 2028, e-commerce sales are expected to grow by 3.8 percent.

Discover the latest eCommerce statistics in United Kingdom for 2025, including store count by category and platform, estimated sales amount by platform and category, products sold by platform and category, and total app spend by platform and category. Gain valuable insights into the retail landscape in United Kingdom, uncovering the distribution of stores across categories and platforms.

In 2020, the e-commerce sales reached a share of 32.5 percent of all retail sales in the Untied Kingdom (UK). For 2025, the forecasted retail e-commerce sales as a share of total retail sales in the UK might reach 38.1 percent, up from the previous years.

This chart illustrates the estimated sales amounts generated by stores on various platforms within United Kingdom. WooCommerce shows a significant lead, with total sales amounting to $276.71B, which constitutes 28.12% of the region's total sales on platforms. Custom Cart reports sales of $228.71B, accounting for 23.24% of the total platform sales in United Kingdom. HCL Commerce also holds a notable share, with its sales reaching $164.61B, representing 16.73% of the overall sales amount. This data provides a comprehensive view of the market dynamics in United Kingdom, highlighting which platforms are driving the most sales.

In United Kingdom, the distribution of stores across different platforms presents a dynamic picture of the market. Shopify, as a leading platform, hosts 223.76K stores, accounting for 34.66% of the total store count in the region. This is closely followed by WooCommerce, which supports 185.92K stores, representing 28.80% of the region's total. Wix makes a significant contribution with 71.79K stores, or 11.12% of the total. The chart underscores the diversity and preferences of store owners in United Kingdom regarding their choice of platform.

In United Kingdom, the estimated sales amount across various store categories provides key insights into the market's dynamics. Food & Drink, as a prominent category, generates significant sales, totaling $263.17B, which is 26.74% of the region's total sales in this sector. Home & Garden follows with robust sales figures, achieving $261.69B in sales and comprising 26.59% of the region's total. Health contributes a considerable amount to the regional market, with sales of $111.45B, accounting for 11.32% of the total sales in United Kingdom. This breakdown highlights the varying economic impacts of different categories within the region, showcasing the diversity and strengths of each sector.

This chart offers an insightful look at the store count by category in United Kingdom. Leading the way is Apparel, with 85.85K stores, which is 14.79% of the total stores in the region. Next is Home & Garden, contributing 82.59K stores, or 14.23% of the region's total. Beauty & Fitness also has a notable presence, with 51.01K stores, making up 8.79% of the store count in United Kingdom. This breakdown provides a clear picture of the diverse retail landscape in United Kingdom, showcasing the variety and scale of stores across different categories.

The UK E-Commerce Market Report is Segmented by B2C E-Commerce (Beauty and Personal Care, Consumer Electronics, Fashion and Apparel, Food and Beverage, Furniture and Home, and Others) and B2B E-Commerce. The Market Sizes and Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) for the Above Segments.

This chart provides a detailed overview of the number of United Kingdom online retailers by Number of Employee. Most United Kingdom stores' Number of Employee are Less than 10, there are 71.62K stores, which is 85.76% of total. In second place, 3.54K stores' Number of Employee are 20 to 50, which is 4.24% of total. Meanwhile, 3.32K stores' Number of Employee are 10 to 20, which is 3.97% of total. This breakdown reveals insights into United Kingdom stores distribution, providing a comprehensive picture of the performance and efficient of online retailer.

Online retail in the United Kingdom has been gaining ground in the past decade. With the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the value of online retail sales in the United Kingdom is estimated to reach just below 120 billion British pounds in 2021. In 2022, the figure decreased to 106 billion British pounds.

What ranks high in UK e-commerce?
In the United Kingdom, clothing and household goods were the most popular retail items consumers purchased through the internet in 2020. Data published by the Office for National Statistics (UK) showed that other leisure activities and services such as booking holiday accommodations, travel arrangements and event tickets were other areas consumers depended on the internet to buy.

German e-commerce market

The UK might have the highest share of online sales in retail trade, but other European countries such as Germany and France have had impressive track records over the years as well. According to the forecasts provided by German E-commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association (bevh), the market volume of Germany’s e-commerce sector was projected to see over 90 billion euros in 2021.

This chart provides a detailed overview of the number of United Kingdom online retailers by Monthly Sales. Most United Kingdom stores' Monthly Sales are Less than $100.00, there are 255.36K stores, which is 97.05% of total. In second place, 5.82K stores' Monthly Sales are $10.00M to $100.00M, which is 2.21% of total. Meanwhile, 987 stores' Monthly Sales are $100.00K to $1.00M, which is 0.38% of total. This breakdown reveals insights into United Kingdom stores distribution, providing a comprehensive picture of the performance and efficient of online retailer.

United Kingdom E Commerce: Business: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) data was reported at 5.500 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.000 % for 2015. United Kingdom E Commerce: Business: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) data is updated yearly, averaging 5.600 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2016, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.400 % in 2011 and a record low of 5.000 % in 2015. United Kingdom E Commerce: Business: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.S031: E Commerce: Proportion of Businesses Making E Commerce Sales.

The pie chart showcases the distribution of app/software spending by store category in United Kingdom, providing insights into how eCommerce stores allocate their resources on the app or software they utilize. Among the store categories, Apparel exhibits the highest spending, with a total expenditure of $63.78M units representing 23.84% of the overall spending. Following closely behind is Beauty & Fitness with a spend of $40.59M units, comprising 15.17% of the total. Home & Garden also contributes significantly with a spend of $32.15M units, accounting for 12.02% of the overall app/software spending. This data sheds light on the investment patterns of eCommerce stores within each category, reflecting their priorities and resource allocation towards app or software solutions.

This chart provides a detailed overview of the number of United Kingdom online retailers by Monthly Visitors. Most United Kingdom stores' Monthly Visitors are Less than 100, there are 208.56K stores, which is 58.39% of total. In second place, 90.81K stores' Monthly Visitors are 100 to 1K, which is 25.42% of total. Meanwhile, 43.68K stores' Monthly Visitors are 1K to 10K, which is 12.23% of total. This breakdown reveals insights into United Kingdom stores distribution, providing a comprehensive picture of the performance and efficient of online retailer.

United Kingdom E Commerce Sales: 50-249 Employees data was reported at 2.400 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for 2016. United Kingdom E Commerce Sales: 50-249 Employees data is updated yearly, averaging 2.050 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2017, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.400 % in 2017 and a record low of 1.600 % in 2014. United Kingdom E Commerce Sales: 50-249 Employees data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.S029: E Commerce: Sales: Proportion of Business Turnover Derived From E Commerce: By Size of Business.

United Kingdom E Commerce Purchases data was reported at 50.600 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 54.100 % for 2015. United Kingdom E Commerce Purchases data is updated yearly, averaging 50.600 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2016, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.300 % in 2012 and a record low of 33.500 % in 2008. United Kingdom E Commerce Purchases data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.S030: E Commerce: Purchases: Proportion of Businesses Making E Commerce.

Internet sales in Great Britain by store type, month and year.