Member Article

E-commerce sales rise despite UK retail fall

UK retail sales fell a record 5.1% in March according to the latest data released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Despite food, alcohol and online sales performing well, there were significant drops in other sectors as high street stores closed their doors.

With consumers unable to shop in-store, e-commerce sales have been showing strong growth. Data provided by Luminati Networks, in collaboration with QuickLizard, has shown a significant change in the way consumers are purchasing goods globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, electronics, grocery items and pet supplies saw some of the highest rates of increase year-over-year, while less essential items like photography equipment saw a decrease in sales over the same period. The data highlights the importance of being able to trade online as well as physically in shops.

More customers than ever before are now shopping online including senior citizens, who have traditionally preferred physical retail options, and are now using e-commerce at a rate 15 percent higher than the same time last year.

“Although high street shopping is clearly suffering at the moment, the current crisis has pushed the shift to e-commerce ahead by years,” commented Or Lenchner, CEO at Luminati Networks.

Lenchner continued: “One of the reasons behind e-commerce growth is COVID-19 has proved to be the final element in pushing the traditionally reluctant older demographic online, as the unavoidable reality of social distancing has removed any lingering technophobia stopping them from embracing the value of online retail. This is a trend we expect to last long after the lockdown has lifted.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Luminati Networks .