UK online retail sales rise in March as shoppers spend more via mobile devices

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Apr 24, 2017

UK online retail sales increased 13% year-on-year in March, according to the latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. This represents a solid performance as Easter, which traditionally boosts trade for retailers, fell in April this year while it was in March in 2016.

The growth was also partially driven by higher average spend through mobile devices. Average basket values increased in March by 18% for both multichannel and online-only retailers as consumer get more confident using smartphones and tables while shopping. This is the seventh consecutive month in which the values have risen.

“Over the past few years we have recorded very strong online retail sales growth through smartphone devices and it seems shoppers are getting more confident about checking out with higher baskets through these devices,” said Justin Opie, managing director at IMRG.

“The reasons for this are most likely related to better-performing mobile sites, with many retailers focusing on making the experience as convenient and straightforward as possible on these devices, but it will also no doubt be being influenced by next-day delivery – it has become fairly common for online retailers to offer next-day for free if the total spend is above a set threshold.”

While online retail sales increased by over 13% on March 2016, month-on-month growth was only 4.4% - the lowest since 2008.

The health and beauty sector performed will with a 15% rise on month and 31% on year boosted by Mother’s Day. The home and garden sector had also strong growth with 10% over last year.