Mobile shopping: How much do Brits spend using their smartphone?

When it comes to shopping, do you like to hit the high street, or are you one of the more than 30 million Brits who use their smart device? According to research by uSwitch, us Brits will spend a record £25 billion this year on products ordered on our smartphones and tablets. So why are we turning even more so into a nation of digital shoppers? What is it about buying goods online that is more appealing than heading into town?

Convenience is king

With the ability to do pretty much anything from our little portable devices, we’re getting more and more used to the convenience and speed of the technology available at our fingertips. We can buy clothes much quicker and return them just as easily; we don’t have to leave the house to order our weekly groceries — we can pick up exactly what we want at the click of a button.

It’s easier to browse a whole range of products online

The simplicity of having everything in the palm of our hands is a key factor in the increase of shopping via our smartphones. The research by uSwitch found that 40% of Brits surveyed said that it was much easier to browse similar items online and compare prices instead of going to multiple different stores on the high street. The same can be said with services like banking, with many of us now choosing to deal with our finances through an app instead of heading into our nearest branch. It’s now much easier to compare different types of bank accounts, savings accounts and loans, which makes it a convenient way to consider your financial options.

Why would we not choose to shop online?

With accessibility to shopping online becoming better and easier, why would we not choose to purchase what we’d like on the web? We can buy exactly what we want from wherever we are in the world, with a notable 14% of Brits under 35 even admitting to doing their online shopping on their phone in the bathroom. No judgements here, but the bathroom is actually a more popular place for younger people to shop than the kitchen!

Is there hope for the high street?

Yes absolutely, but there needs to be a shift in what shops offer customers. High street establishments need to bring their premises into the digital age and offer a better user experience for shoppers. Think virtual shopping assistants and the introduction of augmented reality; where the mirror virtually tries the clothes on you so you can see what an outfit looks like before you buy!

So, whilst it seems that our love of mobile shopping shows no signs of stopping, with the right tactics, it might not be over for the high street just yet.