Everything You Need to Know
Fashion eCommerce Business in The UK
The fashion and apparel industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector that significantly impacts the global economy. In 2023, the online market for apparel, footwear, handbags and accessories contributed nearly a third of the UK’s eCommerce revenue, surpassing £35 billion.
Market Overview
With its blend of tradition and innovation, this industry continues to shape trends and consumer behaviours worldwide. Check out our fast facts highlighting the key aspects and future projections of the Fashion and Apparel market.
Market Segmentation and Performance
- Fashion ranks as the second most purchased product online, following Electronics.
- Clothing, footwear and accessory sales figures have steadily increased worldwide year-on-year.
Understanding the Fashion and Apparel Shoppers
- Demographics: 50% of UK shoppers worldwide have purchased clothes online in the last 12 months, and 34% have bought shoes online.
- Gender Gap: Women are more likely to buy clothing online than men – Women’s Apparel holds the largest market volume, expected to reach £36.15bn this year.
- Millennial Focus: Millennials are the ones most often renewing and refreshing their wardrobes with the aid of the internet
Emerging Trends in Fashion and Apparel eCommerce
- Augmented Reality (AR) Technology: Providing a service for virtual ‘try-ons’.
- Sustainability: Growing interest in eco-friendly products, with 78% of consumers saying sustainability is important when purchasing.
- Smarter sourcing will be key to success with the ability to adopt flexible supply chains with low-volume production capabilities.
Top Retailers
- The biggest apparel retailers worldwide are Zara, H&M, UNIQLO, GAP, Lululemon, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
- The top three eCommerce sites in the UK for fashion are Sainsbury’s, Next and ASOS.
Payment Preferences
- 62-65% of fashion eCommerce transactions in the UK occur via mobile devices
- 97.5% of all online stores in the UK Fashion e-commerce market (2022) offer VISA and Mastercard with them being the two most commonly offered payment methods [Statista]
- PayPal makes up 85.5% of the e-commerce market payments and Klarna makes up 26.5%
Delivery Choice
Nearly ⅓ of Brits now expect same-day delivery for fashion items.
But 1 in 2 fashion shoppers wished brands would promote green initiatives that ‘give back’ to the planet at checkout.
There is a 26.7% cart abandonment rate for Clothing & Footwear products due to delivery-related factors
Navigating the eCommerce Landscape
- Logistics and Delivery: Ensuring fast and reliable delivery remains a top challenge
- Competition: Navigating a crowded market with major players
- Technology Integration: Leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience and streamline operations.
Customer Testimonials
“GFS has helped us achieve our goal to deliver a relevant and consistent delivery experience to every customer, every time.”
Mamas & Papas
“GFS enables us to offer a much wider range of delivery options to suit the LKB customer. We’ve definitely seen a significant increase in checkout success rates as a result of this.”
LK Bennett
“GFS immediately helped by reducing our carrier contract administration, while cutting our costs, and helping to manage very ‘lumpy’ demand.”
Hampers.com
“Partnering with GFS has transformed our logistics. With their multi-carrier sophistication, we’ve introduced weekend deliveries and gained the flexibility to switch carriers effortlessly. GFS simplifies everything with their efficiency through one contact, one relationship, one invoice, and one integration. Plus, they opened up new horizons with smooth international shipping options. Even onboarding just before Black Friday, we sailed through peak deliveries without a hitch. GFS’ reliability and efficiency have been game-changing for us!”
Mahabis
Reach out to our team for expert advice and tailored solutions for fashion eCommerce parcel delivery management
Optimise Your Delivery with Our Multi-Carrier Solution!
Maximise Efficiency: Streamline your delivery process with our multi-carrier delivery solutions.
Boost Customer Satisfaction: Ensure fast and reliable delivery to keep your customers happy.
Contact Us Today: for a free consultation on how our multi-carrier delivery solutions can benefit your business.