Figures released by
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that six
out of ten Britons shop online. Britons spend at least twice as much online
when compared to other OECD member states which include the US, France, Germany
and Australia. With British adults
spending on average £2,180 and closest rival Denmark averaging just £1,000. Coupled with the fact the
population of British adults buying online is double the average of the 34 OECD
member states, it becomes clear that Britain is clear front runner in the
online retail market.
So with news like this you’d expect Britain’s businesses to
be at the forefront right? Erm actually wrong, The UK has the fifth lowest
amount of businesses using the internet in the developed world. Now the more
astute among us will see this as an opportunity not to be squandered. Online
retail has many advantages - particularly in the UK where recent news is
hinting at a damaging reassessment of business rates by government. This added
to the other overheads of a physical shop makes the pressures worse!
So what makes a good online shop? Well the old values of
putting the customer first and good customer service naturally still apply. Making sure the site looks appealing is
another obvious factor, however this leads to one design element which is often
overlooked. How does the site look on a smart phone? Nearly nine out of ten UK
residents look at shopping websites on their phones. With 79 per cent of those having already bought something
online.
So now we can clearly see the market is there and all this
without the disadvantages. This makes is a great opportunity for the young entrepreneurs
of the future. Without needing huge loans to set up online or the risks traditionally
associated with starting up a new high street business. Learning the skills associated
with online business could be a valuable asset for any school leaving youth of
Britain today. With so many facets to online business the younger generation
don’t all have to be budding entrepreneurs they could settle for learning the
various marketing techniques associated with online businesses or maybe even
allow their creative instincts to flourish by web designing. With the economy as it is this really could be
the future for Britain and the world. I
predict the future of Britain is of an online retail paradise.
And where better to shop online than PersonalTouchGifts?