Curious about the latest online shopping statistics, trends, habits, and preferences shaping the digital marketplace in 2024? We’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll explore the insights gathered from a comprehensive survey conducted by PackPro Our study offers a glimpse into the behaviours and attitudes driving the evolution of e-commerce. From favourite marketplace platforms to preferred delivery methods, here’s the latest trends shaping the online shopping landscape
How Frequently do you shop online?
- According to our survey results, 35% of respondents reported shopping online a few times a week, while 23% indicated they do so once a week.
- Additionally, 14% stated that they shop online once every few months.
- Conversely, only 5% of participants reported shopping online a few times a year.
These online shopping statistics give eCommerce sellers useful information about how often people shop online. Knowing this can help retailers adjust their marketing and manage their inventory. By meeting the shopping habits of their audience, retailers can make customers happier, encourage them to buy again, and grow their profits over time.
What industry do you shop at the most?
- According to the survey findings, 56% of respondents indicated clothing as their preferred online shopping category.
- Following behind, 15% of participants expressed a preference for beauty and cosmetics products.
- 13% favoured items related to sports and fitness.
Thinking about diving into the world of online business but unsure where to start? According to our survey, it looks like the clothing industry is a clear winner.
What factors influence your decision to shop online? Please select all that are relevant to you
- The results clearly indicate that convenience stands out as the primary factor driving people to shop online.
- Following closely is the influence of online prices, which often offer more attractive deals compared to in-store prices. This might be attributed to the ease of finding sales and discounts online.
- Another significant factor is the time-saving aspect of online shopping. With just a Wi-Fi connection, you can shop from anywhere, saving precious time that would otherwise be spent traveling to physical stores.
- Another significant factor is the wide selection available through online shopping. This shows that people perceive a greater variety of products online compared to what’s offered in physical stores.
What online platforms or websites do you prefer to shop on?
- In our survey, 81% of respondents claimed Amazon as their preferred online marketplace, showing its dominant position in the e-commerce landscape.
- Company websites followed at 43%, suggesting that consumers value the direct-to-consumer experience offered by brands.
- Etsy ranked third, with 29% of respondents favouring the platform, highlighting its popularity among those seeking unique and handmade items.
Have you ever encountered any issues or challenges while shopping online?
- 62% of respondents chose the option that they haven’t encountered any issues or challenges while online shopping.
- 39% of respondents claimed they have encountered challenges online shopping.
We then asked:
If you selected yes, please specify.
To which there were a variety of interesting answers such as:
- The most common response highlighted challenges with the returns policy.
- Many respondents said that the quality of the items received was poor.
- Unfortunately, some individuals reported instances of being scammed when online shopping.
- Delivery issues emerged frequently, including receiving incorrect items, undelivered packages, or packages being left in unsafe locations by delivery drivers.
How important is fast and reliable shopping to you when shopping online?
- 40% of respondents said fast and reliable shipping was very important to them.
- 26% claimed it was important, and 21% claimed it was relatively important.
To meet customer expectations, online retailers must prioritise timely and accurate delivery. Our survey highlights the importance of reliable shipping to online shoppers, as indicated by our online statistics. This means investing in efficient shipping practices, reliable courier services, and clear communication about shipping policies. By prioritising reliable shipping, retailers can keep customers happy, stand out in the market, and grow their business.
Are you more likely to shop on an online store that offers free shipping?
- 85% of respondents said that they were more likely to shop on an online store that offers free shipping.
- Only 15% of respondents claimed it did not matter to them if shipping was not free when online shopping.
With 85% of respondents expressing a preference for online stores that provide free shipping, our online shopping statistics show it’s clear that this aspect heavily influences consumer decision-making. For ecommerce businesses, integrating free shipping into their pricing strategy can be a key differentiator in a crowded marketplace. By eliminating shipping fees, sellers can attract more customers, reduce cart abandonment rates, and ultimately drive higher sales volumes. Moreover, offering free shipping can enhance the overall shopping experience, fostering greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.
When selecting your delivery for online shopping, what time frame do you normally choose?
- 69% of respondents said they are more likely to choose 3-5 working days as a delivery option, while 25% expressed a preference for next-day delivery.
The default option for delivery is typically the free shipping choice (which is most likely going to be the 3-5 days option) emphasising that individuals are inclined to select the no-cost option.
What is the average time of day you shop online?
- 76% of respondents said the average time of day they shop online is at 5pm – 12am.
- 13% of respondents reported online shopping between 1 pm and 5 pm.
It’s understandable that evenings are the preferred time for online shopping, as many individuals work during the day and reserve their evenings for personal activities, including shopping.
Are you more likely to shop on an online store with good customer service?
- 73% of respondents said are more likely to shop on an online store with good customer service.
- Whereas 25% chose it does not matter to them.
If you’re considering launching an online store or enhancing your existing business, our online shopping statistics show that showcasing customer service on your website is highly recommended. One effective way to achieve this is by incorporating a chatbot, such as an AI-powered chatbot, directly onto your webpage.
What is the average time of day you shop online?
- According to the survey, a majority of respondents, accounting for 76%, prefer shopping online between 5pm and 12am.
- After this, 13% of participants reported shopping during the hours of 1pm and 5pm.
- A smaller proportion, constituting 5% of respondents, indicated that they shop online between 10am and 1pm.
This shows that the overwhelming majority of people shop online when they’re relaxing or after they finish work. Knowing this can help businesses market and promote their products to catch shoppers during these busy times.
How important is the availability of customer reviews and ratings when making a purchase decision online?
- 31% of respondents emphasised the significance of having customer reviews and ratings readily available when making an online purchase as very important.
- 23% expressed that they find it important.
- 17% considered it to be a little important.
- A 2% of participants identified it as a deciding factor.
- Only 3% indicated that it wasn’t important.
Our online shopping statistics show that customer reviews and ratings are crucial for online sellers. Firstly, they build trust and credibility, boosting the chances of making sales. Additionally, positive reviews can be used in marketing to improve brand reputation and attract more customers. Moreover, understanding the importance of reviews helps sellers tailor their strategies. For instance, they can highlight positive feedback as social proof and address negative reviews to show commitment to customer satisfaction.
How do you typically discover new online stores or platforms for shopping? Select all that apply to you.
- The majority of respondents indicated that they discover new online stores and platforms primarily through social media. This involves various online platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more.
- Following social media, word of mouth emerged as the next significant factor, which involves recommendations from friends and family and acquaintances.
- Online search engines and bloggers/influencers yielded similar results in terms of discovering new online stores and platforms.
If you’re marketing your online store, our online shopping statistics suggest you should focus on promoting it on social media. It’s a great way to connect with more people and attract customers. So, make sure to use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to showcase your products and engage with your audience.
How do you feel about the return policies of online retailers?
- 36% of respondents found the return policy to be okay.
- 19% expressed the need for improvement.
- Meanwhile, 21% considered the return policy to be satisfactory.
Our online shopping statistics indicated that opinions on the return policy vary among respondents. While a significant portion find it acceptable or satisfactory, there is also a notable proportion that believes it requires work.
If the return process on an online shop was difficult, would this stop you from shopping there again?
- 27% of respondents indicated that they would not shop at an online store again if the return process was difficult.
- Meanwhile, 31% stated that their decision would depend on their satisfaction with the products, suggesting that a positive shopping experience could outweigh difficulties with returns.
- Additionally, 15% expressed they would be reluctant, indicating they would be hesitant to continue shopping at a store with a challenging return process.
- Surprisingly, only 3% mentioned they would still shop at the online store, regardless of the return process’s difficulty.
Our online shopping statistics show the significant impact of return processes on customer loyalty and repeat purchases in the online retail landscape. They highlight the importance of providing a hassle-free and user-friendly return experience to retain customers and foster positive relationships with them.
Have you ever made an impulsive purchase while shopping online?
In our survey on online shopping habits, we uncovered some fascinating insights into what drives consumers to make impulse purchases.
It’s not surprising that one of the most common reasons mentioned was the attraction of online sales. After all, irresistible discounts have a way of tempting even the most budget-conscious shoppers to hit the “buy now” button.
But it’s not just discounts that lead to impulse buys. Social media also plays a significant role in influencing online shopping behaviours. Imagine scrolling through your Instagram feed or TikTok ‘For You’ page and stumbling upon a sponsored post showcasing the latest trendy item. It’s easy to see how these discoveries can spark spontaneous purchases, especially among younger demographics, where TikTok reigns supreme as a shopping hot spot.
However, one surprising finding from our survey was the influence of alcohol on impulsive shopping. Some respondents admitted in making spontaneous online purchases while under the influence. It seems that consuming alcohol can lower inhibitions, resulting in unplanned additions to the shopping cart.
But it’s not just alcohol that can sway our shopping decisions. Emotions also play a significant role. Whether it’s a rough day at work, a bad week, or simply feeling down, some participants confessed to turning to retail therapy as a pick-me-up.
Another frequent factor that contributes to impulsive online purchases was hormonal influences. As mentioned by some respondents, the surge of endorphins and impatience can create a powerful urge for impulse buying. Perhaps this serves as a reminder that our biological drives occasionally overshadow our logical thinking, resulting in impulsive purchases that we might regret later.
Survey Conclusion:
In conclusion, our survey offers valuable insights into the evolving world of online shopping statistics in 2024. From shopping frequency and preferred categories to factors influencing purchase decisions and delivery preferences, we’ve delved deep into consumer behaviour in the digital marketplace. With the majority of respondents shopping online during their leisure time, prioritising convenience, and relying heavily on social media for discovery, businesses can tailor their strategies to meet evolving customer needs. Additionally, the significance of reliable shipping, free shipping offers, and accessible return policies is very important in gaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. As online retailers navigate the competitive e-commerce landscape, understanding these trends and preferences is essential for driving growth and success in the digital age.