A new report from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) shows the UK as one of the leaders in internet usage and purchases in the EU.
The figures below show strong growth backed by almost all Britons who want access to the internet having it, either at home or on their phone. This increased usage has helped business with over three quarters of UK adults making an online purchase in the last year. There is still room to improve though with only a fifth of businesses selling online.
- The percentage of businesses selling online increased from an estimated 13% in 2008 to 19% in 2012.
- The retail industry leads the way in the UK with the highest percentage of internet sales. They more than doubled from £303m a week in June 2009 to £664m a week in June 2014.
- Over three-quarters (77%) of UK adults made an online purchase in the last 12 months, compared to an EU average of 47%.
- 84% ( 22m ) of UK households had internet access in 2014, marginally higher than the EU average of 79%. 4m UK households are still not online with half of them saying they didn’t want or need it.
Read more stats on The Office for National Statistics website or on the Guardian’s website.