Topic of the Week - As October draws to a close, online retail activity is gathering pace ahead of the peak trading season.
As October draws to a close, online retail activity is gathering pace ahead of the peak trading season. With Black Friday only a few weeks away, retailers are bringing forward their promotions and shoppers are responding positively. Over the past ten days, UK online sales have risen by around seven per cent compared to the previous week, marking the strongest pre-peak growth seen since before the pandemic.
Many of the major retailers, including Amazon, Very and Currys, have already launched early Black Friday deals. The move appears to be paying off, helping to spread demand over a longer period and easing the pressure that typically builds on fulfilment networks towards the end of November.
Shoppers remain focused on value for money. The average online basket size has dipped slightly compared with last year, but the total number of transactions continues to climb. Home technology, fashion and beauty products are all performing well, with smaller-ticket items driving much of the growth as customers look to take advantage of early savings.
Parcel volumes are now increasing steadily across the sector. Carrier networks are operating close to capacity, with utilisation rates estimated between 85 and 90 per cent. Delivery performance remains stable for now, but the next fortnight will be critical as mid-season campaigns ramp up. Retailers that are spreading their promotions over several weeks and setting clear delivery cut-offs are best placed to manage the surge in demand without disrupting service levels.
For logistics providers, the focus over the coming weeks is on maintaining reliability and visibility. Accurate forecasting, strong communication with retail partners and the flexibility to scale operations quickly will all be vital in navigating what is shaping up to be a busy and competitive peak season.
eCommerce Market Stats
See some statistics relating to this week’s topics in the eCommerce market below.
Key UK Ecommerce Stats
- 68% of UK shoppers say they plan to start their Christmas shopping before Black Friday this year, up from 54% in 2023.
- 72% of online retailers have launched promotions earlier than last year to spread demand and ease fulfilment pressure.
- The average online order value in October fell by 4.3% compared with 2024, as consumers focus on smaller, lower-cost purchases.
- Nine in ten retailers report higher parcel volumes year-on-year, with 37% already operating close to capacity.
- 56% of consumers say delivery speed influences their choice of retailer, but only 28% are willing to pay extra for faster shipping.
- 41% of UK consumers now track their online orders daily, highlighting the growing demand for delivery visibility and communication.
That’s all for this week…
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