Yodel have conducted a new survey revealing that almost a third of Brits plan to shop exclusively online this Christmas, more than a fourfold increase from last year when only 7% opted for online-only gift-buying. This is good news for online sellers and shows that the online buzz is yet to slow.
While the shift towards online retail has already gathered pace over recent years, consumer experience of doorstep delivery during the pandemic, alongside a growing lack of choice on the high street, will see a surge in demand for online shopping this Christmas.
The survey also found that three fifths (61%) plan to adopt a hybrid approach to buying gifts this festive season, doing part of their shopping online and part in-store. This approach is being driven by young people, with almost seven in 10 (68%) of 18-24s planning a hybrid Christmas shop, compared to just over half (55%) of over 75s.
The wide adoption of this mixed way of shopping is likely to be a result of the growth of ecommerce, coupled with many still wanting to enjoy the festive experience of hitting the high street at Christmas. Consumers still opting to shop exclusively online this year could also be due to uncertainty over whether venturing out this winter is safe.
Nevertheless, three quarters (75%) of shoppers reported that they would or already have done more of their Christmas shopping online this year, with four in 10 (40%) saying they would be starting earlier than they have previously and almost a quarter (23%) saying they would also be spending less this Christmas.
“The run-up to Christmas is always one of the busiest periods for online retailers, but this year looks like it will be particularly intense as consumer appetite for ecommerce continues to grow. To cater to this increased demand, we are recruiting over 4,300 new colleagues for a range of roles across the business this festive season.”
– Mike Hancox, CEO of Yodel
