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UK online sales predicted to hit £5 billion this Xmas

by Mark Tyson on 26 November 2013, 11:15

Tags: Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), eBay, PC World (LON:DXNS)

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UK consumers are expected to spend £5 billion online this festive season, an almost 19 per cent year-on-year increase from last year, with around 20,000 click-and-collect points likely to be used.

The rise in popularity of online shopping in the UK means that Deloitte estimates a 3.5 per cent rise in total Christmas retail sales bringing it up to a sum of £40.3bn. Ian Geddes, Deloitte’s UK head of retail believes that flexible delivery could be the key the hearts of UK shoppers as they are “expected to loosen purse strings off the back of rising consumer confidence and improving economic conditions.” We are told that the UK shopper’s “expectations around flexible delivery over the coming festive period are higher than ever before. Store collection is now seen as a basic offering”. More than a third of Brits would appreciate the chance to pick up smaller parcels from collection points near their place of work or home.

No one enjoys the yearly hellish last minute Christmas crush, understandably a good reason to turn to our computers rather than going on the high street to buy gifts. With cash-back services offered by websites such as Quidco saving a little something from each purchase, those online shoppers can take advantage of the best deals, without having to trek from one shop to another in freezing, wet weather, to compare prices.

Amazon is just one of the retailers which is looking to extend its click-and-collect service after enquiring about the possibility of using London Underground’s soon-to-be-empty ticket offices for deliveries. Royal Mail is predicting that this Saturday will be the busiest day for Christmas sales online this year as upgraded apps are released by online retailers making it even easier for consumers to buy through their smartphones and tablets.

Has anyone finished their Christmas shopping yet?



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Finished? No.
Started? Also, no.

I'll be doing a lot of my shopping online this year. I work 9:30-5:30 Monday to Friday, and getting round town on a weekend is already a complete nightmare. If I go to Amazon I can get it cheaper and I can get it delivered to work.
I have at least started: Ebay, Argos, independent and chain high street shops so far.

I don't think getting myself a new CPU from Amazon counts as it's already installed… :)
Finished? Yes.
Started? No.

My contribution to that £5 billion will be £0.

I don't do presents, and other than the elderly mother-in-law, have convinced everybody else not to give them to me either. And it's not for lack of trying with her. It's just that, really loveable ol' duck that she is, she could teach a whole species of mountain goat tricks in stubbornness.

Anyways, presents? Nah. Bah, humbug.
Shopping mostly done - evenly split between high street and online though. Argos seem to have been the beneficiary of the largest slab of money so far - and that wasn't via online. Think I'm doing less online shopping this year than last - but that's mainly because the local shops seem to have some really good deals going at the moment.
Deloitte's UK head of retail believes that flexible delivery could be the key the hearts of UK shoppers as they are “expected to loosen purse strings off the back of rising consumer confidence and improving economic conditions.”
Hmm, wonder if that's the usual “survey” results - i.e. stopped a dozen folks outside of their office and then went for a pub lunch? Everyone I've talked to - face-to-face or online - has been saying that they're cutting their spending because of worries about rising energy prices and/or tax plus the fear of losing jobs. So much for this “consumer confidence”. :(
crossy
Shopping mostly done - evenly split between high street and online though. Argos seem to have been the beneficiary of the largest slab of money so far - and that wasn't via online. Think I'm doing less online shopping this year than last - but that's mainly because the local shops seem to have some really good deals going at the moment.

Hmm, wonder if that's the usual “survey” results - i.e. stopped a dozen folks outside of their office and then went for a pub lunch? Everyone I've talked to - face-to-face or online - has been saying that they're cutting their spending because of worries about rising energy prices and/or tax plus the fear of losing jobs. So much for this “consumer confidence”. :(
Yes i have found it hard this year more than the last financially, i have had to use credit card which i have never done before.

I looked online to get cheaper and found that the high street were competitive for most of the thing i needed to get, and i bought 75% of stuff on the high street.