UK Reluctant to use Shopping Tech

UK shoppers reluctant to use e-commerce tech, including WiFi, QR codes and mobile shopping lists despite rising demand for convenience.

19:30 08 September 2018

A new research has confirmed that compared to consumers in other parts of the world, UK shoppers are slower to adopt e-commerce technologies, including but not limited to QR codes, social media in store, mobile shopping lists and even WiFi.

 

Data from Nielsen shows that FMCG online sales now account for almost 7per cent of total FMCG sales in the UK. It is anticipated that the number will reach £10billion a year starting next year. The demand for convenience is also rapidly growing, with more than a quarter of global consumers seeking out products that make their lives easier and convenient to use.

 

Mike Watkins, head of retail insight at Nielsen, said there was a "clear need for more to be done in terms of educating and encouraging the use of new and emerging e-commerce technologies that will deliver the convenience that consumers demand”.

 

He added: “Over the last four years, Nielsen has been tracking a rapidly growing demand for convenience in markets around the world and identified the factors driving this, which include shrinking household sizes, generational needs, and emerging technology.

 

"These drivers of convenience, and increasing demand for products and solutions which help to simplify lifestyles, are having an impact across a myriad of industries, particularly e-commerce."