With the advancement of online and mobile digital technologies e-Commerce sites are cashing in at the expense of the flagging high street. Recent figures show that in March this year e-Commerce sales in the UK have risen by a healthy 16%. Online sales are rising year on year and sales of clothing are being credited for the majority of the growth, with trade rising 15% on average each year. But the most impressive and revealing statistic reported was the increase of m-Commerce sales from smartphones and tablets, which increased by an enormous rate of 243% over the year. Buy Men’s and Women’s Clothing Online
Growth in availability of tablets and smartphones ultimately means consumers are spending more time online. It has been reported that more than 50% of online consumers own either a tablet or smartphone, and they are using these devices when shopping to research products, compare prices, and make purchases. With the improvement and development of mobile services and responsive web design retail sites are constantly becoming more user-friendly for tablet and smartphone devices, subsequently making it easier and more appealing for consumers to shop anywhere - except the high street.
What these new figures highlight is that the big business of retail is shifting even further towards online sales, while footfall in the high street drops simultaneously. While online retailers are often able to offer a larger range of products at the customers fingertips it is easy to see why consumers are choosing to do their shopping from the comfort of their own home, instead of venturing into the empty high streets. With the rise of faster web browsing, online discounts and the rise in popularity of commerce friendly mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets, more customers are finding it quicker and easier than ever to do their shopping online.
