Online UK sales growth

Even though we live in a world surrounded by technology, nearly a quarter of UK internet-users have never bought anything online. Times are changing and according to BT's 21st Century Life Index, the level of customers purchasing groceries and clothing online has undergone dramatic growth in recent years. These findings form part of a study undertaken on behalf of BT to explore how technology has touched every aspect of our lives in the UK over the last 10 years.

When it comes to shopping, 19 per cent of today's internet users have purchased their groceries online, compared with zero back in 1998. The growth in online clothing retailing is even higher with over a third (34 per cent) of internet users now having bought clothing online, compared with zero per cent a decade ago.

These findings into our modern buying habits are revealing, but most still 22 per cent of internet users have never shopped online. Overall, 41 per cent of online users consider themselves regular shoppers, compared with just two per cent a decade ago. A third of internet-users (33 per cent) have read online product and service reviews in the last three months and six per cent have written them.

Laurie Bowen, managing director, commercial & brands, BT Global Services UK, comments: "It is staggering that nearly a quarter of internet-users have never made a purchase online of any sort, especially in light of the well publicised cost savings and increased choice that can be found on the net. As the war for consumer wallet share intensifies, particularly in areas like the weekly shop, the internet will become a vital battleground. Retailers will have to work hard to ensure that their deals and promotions in-store are also attractive and competitive online."

The BT 21st Century Life Index surveyed 1150 internet users in 2008 and compared this with a survey of 553 internet users in 1998.

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