UK online retail sales up 12% in July
The latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index have revealed that UK online retail sales were up 12% year-on-year (YoY) in July. Sales made via a mobile device, either a smartphones or tablet, saw a 42% annual growth.
The clothing sector was one of the top performers, recording YoY growth of 14%. According to a statement issued by IMRG today (18 August): “Despite an uncertain start to the year, July marks the second consecutive month of double-digit growth for this sector in 2015 (18% YoY growth in June 2015). The accessories and footwear sub-sectors also performed particularly well in July.”
Tina Spooner, chief information officer with IMRG, commented: “During the early part of the year we saw fairly unpredictable growth rates in e-retail, but higher conversion rates and lower average basket values have been consistent trends. However, while the percentage of online browsers converting to shoppers hit a high for the year in July, the average basket value remained unchanged from July 2014 – this follows five consecutive months of annual decline in average basket values. With the slow start to the year, it may be that retailers felt pressured into longer and deeper sales campaigns to stimulate activity, and that we are now in a summer season where shopping has ‘normalised’ to an extent before we enter the festive trading period.”
Alex Smith-Bingham, head of digital, consumer products and retail at Capgemini, added: “The continued solid performance of the Index will be reassuring to the UK’s retailers, and is a clear reflection of the ongoing consumer confidence in the health of the economy. The decline in big-ticket items from the electrical sector will continue to leave its mark, but with the new iPhone 6S anticipated to launch in September, we could see a very significant boost before the end of the year.”
