UK e-retailers saw continued strong growth in the first half of 2012, as online sales continueto drive retail and parcel-delivery growth, with a further boost predicted from the London 2012
Olympics.The latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, covering around 100 leadingUK-based e-retailers, indicate that UK shoppers spent an estimated £34.9 billion online in thefirst six months of this year, compared to £31 billion in the first six months of 2011, an increaseof 12.6%. In June alone, shoppers spent an estimated £6 billion − an average of £117 per person −equating to 13% growth on June last year and a 1% drop on May sales figures.
Growth for online-only retailers, at 17% in June, exceeded that of multichannel retailers, at11% − in line with the rest of the first half of 2012. Sales via mobile devices, such as tabletsand smartphones, continued to enjoy phenomenal growth in June, with m-commerce leaping 356%, yearon year.
Online retail association IMRG said growth patterns in June were strongly influenced by two keyfactors: the wettest June for over 100 years and the European Football Championships. Theelectrical sector benefitted from both of these, reporting year-on-year growth of 35%, an increaseof 9% compared with the previous month, as the football boosted sales of televisions and theweather encouraged people to invest in home entertainment products. The travel sector alsobenefitted from the wet weather, registering a 17% year-on-year growth as rain soaked Brits flockedto sunnier climes.
Although the disappointing summer has had a positive influence on travel and electrical goods,it did result in a disappointing month for the clothing sector, IMRG observed, particularly after awarm May had helped the sector return to a more positive year-on-year growth of 11%. Clothing salesin June showed a relatively weak 4% increase compared with June 2011 and a drop of 9% on May sales,as the weather discouraged shoppers from buying summer clothing.
However, sales of accessories were up 47%, year on year, IMRG noted. The gift sector reported a43% increase from June last year, and month-on-month growth of 18%, driven largely by Father’s Daypurchases.
Andrew McClelland, chief operations and policy officer at IMRG, commented: “In challengingtrading conditions caused by the weather, continued negative economic news and consumers payingdown credit, the Index has still managed to record double-digit growth for H1 2012, highlightingthe value that consumers place in the strong retail proposition that online is able to provide. Themarket is on a strong footing to push ahead in H2 now, as we anticipate a boom in online shopping,as many people will have the option of working from home during the Olympics and will therefore bein to receive deliveries.
“Of the sectors measured, accessories is showing the strongest growth at 47% year-on-year butmobile commerce is still the big story here, with average order values comparable to the fullwebsite, 356% year-on-year growth and retailers seeing mobile sales at circa 8% of their totaldigital income.”
The UK is seen as a global leader in the online retail market, with 30% of all cross-bordertrade in Europe going through UK retailers and the number of British online retail businesses setto double by 2015.
