10 Online shopping stats users should know

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ECommerce businesses, such as those in the dropshipping market, can benefit from some of the latest online shopping statistics. As Covid continues to influence a shift in the number of sales online, eCommerce is looking lucrative, with the number of internet shoppers on smartphones also increasing.

Omnicron outbreaks are causing problems with normal shopping habits as experts say that shopping poses the biggest risk to catching Covid outside the home (inews, 2022). UK researchers have suggested that shopping is a greater threat to spreading the virus than cinemas, bars, and sporting events, regardless of restrictions in place.

Read these 10 online shopping statistics to learn more about the advantages of selling to consumers on a digital platform.

3 out of 5 of internet users are shopping

Statistics from DataReportal show that 58.2% of global internet users aged 16-64 were shopping in the month of September 2021. Rather than battling the crowds on the high street or finding time around working hours, people are choosing the convenience of shopping from the comfort of their own homes.

More people are shopping on smartphones

Using smartphones for shopping in 2021 accounted for 70% of all retail website visits worldwide according to Statista. As more people have access to better mobile technology for browsing the internet and using apps, it's key that any eCommerce business has a website designed for mobile in mind. The adoption of smartphones is becoming more popular in regions without other digital infrastructure, so this accounts for more purchases on mobile versus on desktop PC.

The number of mobile users grew by 2.3% 2020-21

Over 12 months from 2020 into 2021, the number of mobile users increased by 2.3%. That's 117 million users and almost 10 million new users per month, according to DataReportal.

Across the globe, the total number of mobile users reached 5.27 billion in 2021, making it 67% of the world’s total population.

Gen X and Millenials are leading in the number of purchased goods

The highest share of internet users that are shopping online are in the age group 25-54 (79%), and the second-highest is the youngest age group 16-24 (78%). These statistics from Eurostat, 2020, indicate that it's not just the younger generations that are heading to online stores. Gen X (born 1965-1980) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) are making the most of hassle-free purchases online. This opens up the possibilities for products to sell to these age groups.

Clothing, home and garden, and food deliveries are the top 3 purchases

In Eurostat's 2020 survey of online purchases in EU countries, the top three most-bought product categories were: clothing (63%), home and garden furniture and accessories (29%), and food deliveries from restaurants and fast food (28%). Following this were cosmetics and beauty (27%), books, magazines, and newspapers (26%), and personal electronics such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones (26%).

Customers are more likely to buy with free delivery

According to DataReportal in 2021, 51% of customers say they are more likely to finalise an online due to free delivery. Discount codes are the second most common temptation to buy (40%), followed by reviews from other customers (33%), and an easy returns policy (32%). These incentives for internet shoppers make a huge difference in the number of sales eCommerce businesses experience.

Buyers read up to 6 product reviews before making a purchase

The customer journey starts with buyers researching the products they are interested in and using websites to find inspiration. A report from Statista in 2021 found that half of online users browsed Amazon and other search engines first when looking to purchase. A large majority of online consumers also read as many as six product reviews before deciding on what to buy.

71% of internet users are more likely to buy a product after seeing it on social media

More people are being influenced by their Instagram and TikTok feed, with 7 in 10 making a purchase based on social media referrals. This data from GlobalWebIndex suggests that eCommerce businesses can make a significant profit from having a presence on popular social media channels.

Figures from LicenseGlobal found similar trends for shoppers in the US. According to their survey, 87% of North Americans believe that social media influences and pushes a purchasing decision.

Millennials are more likely to purchase after watching influencers

In a survey by InfluencerMarketingHub, in 2021, they found that Gen Z and Millennials were more likely to buy a product online thanks to a social media influencer. As many as 84% of Millennials admitted that user-generated content online influenced how they spend their money.

80% of Instagram users follow a business account

With more than a billion active users each month, Instagram has substantial power when it comes to eCommerce. According to SearchEngineWatch, 80% of Instagram users follow at least one business account. Internet users are keen to follow the brands they identify with and enjoy finding new companies to purchase from as tagged or mentioned by the influencers they follow. Instagram is making it easier for shopping enthusiasts on the app by adding shopping tags and checkout options to posts.

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