UK shoppers prefer online shopping to high street retailers

While many shoppers still appreciate the touch-and-feel aspect of in-store shopping, there is a rising preference for online apparel shopping among UK adult consumers. A recent survey by GSI Commerce found 45 percent of UK adult shoppers prefer to purchase clothes online rather than in-store.

As to why they prefer online shopping, 27 percent of shoppers said they enjoy the expanded choices, 10 percent cited the broadened delivery options and 7 percent preferred the better features, service and product information available on retailers' websites.

Because websites offer shoppers more information and comparison capabilities, 64 percent said they would window shop via websites before purchasing in-store, and 56 percent said their favourite web shopping feature was being able to filter searches.

"Smart merchandising, quality product features and advances in site search are making the online fashion shopping experience closer to - and now often surpassing - the traditional retail experience," said Mark Brixton, country manager for SLI-Systems.

UK retail stores are experiencing the transition from physical store purchases to online shopping by many consumers, reporting a 1.5 percent increase in sales for August 2011 down from a 2.8 percent increase in August 2010. According to the British Retail Consortium, even the back-to-school season did not boost sales significantly as many consumers were conservative with spending and looked for deals and promotions.