– Online sales of Non-Food products in the UK grew 17.6% in June versus a year earlier, when it had risen by 10.6% over the previous year. This is the best online performance since August 2014 and outperformed the 3-month and 12-month averages of 14.6% and 12.6%, respectively.
– In June 2015, online sales represented 18.4% of total Non-Food sales, against 16.9% in June 2014, the highest penetration rate since January.
– Online growth in the Clothing and Footwear categories ranked among the top three in June, while Toys & Baby Equipment also had a successful month, reporting their fastest online growth since January.
– Online sales contributed 2.1 percentage points to the growth of Non-Food total sales in June. Compared to Stores, Online now consistently contributes more to 3-month average Non-Food sales growth, and over the three months to June 2015, made its greatest percentage contribution since December 2013.
LONDON, 2015-7-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Helen Dickinson, Director General, British Retail Consortium, said: “Online retail sales have experienced the best growth since August 2014, largely driven by fashion promotions. As ever, websites are popular during the sales, providing greater clarity of stock availability for consumers. For retailers, online is an increasingly useful tool to reach customers selectively and showcase their offer. Online sales strength is also shown in the fact its contribution to three month non-food sales growth has reached its highest proportion since December 2013. This highlights the variety of digitally focused roles in the retail industry. It also shows the increasing demand for skilled people to develop sophisticated online operations and a seamless connection between physical and digital space.”
David McCorquodale, Head of Retail, KPMG, said: “Non-food online sales soared to record levels in June, up 17.6% – the highest level of growth this year – as the real benefits of the virtual aisle shone through. With temperatures soaring, consumers chose to click for summer fashion and festival chic rather than swelter on the high street.
“Unsurprisingly online sales in the Health & Beauty sector saw a particular boost as shoppers topped up on sun cream and beauty essentials to stay safe from the sun’s rays.”
British Retail Consortium, 21 Dartmouth Street, Westminster, London, SW1H 9BP. 020 7854 8900. info@brc.org.uk.