Britain is the online retail capital of the world

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?