Mirakl: Brits move purchasing power to online marketplaces
Paris-based e-commerce startup Mirakl has released The 2022 State of Online Marketplace Adoption, a global survey of 9,000 consumers, including 1,000 UK respondents.
According to the findings, the online landscape has shifted in response to rising consumer expectations around rapid delivery, product quality and variety, and lower pricing.
Two-thirds of consumers surveyed globally prefer e-commerce sites with online marketplaces, and 68% of UK consumers agree the latter are the most convenient way to shop.
Adrien Nussenbaum, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Mirakl, comments: “In today’s ‘always on’ retail economy, shoppers prize the competitive prices, increased variety and faster shipping times that only online marketplaces can deliver. Moreover, this preference is strongest among retailers’ most valuable shoppers.”
Following significant gains from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, marketplace use has maintained its increased position in the e-commerce landscape.
In 2019, 39% of UK consumers said they shopped exclusively on or a lot on marketplaces; in 2020, that figure rose to 56% and it held steady in 2021.
On average, UK respondents said that 41% of their online shopping now happens via this channel, with 34% stating their use of online marketplaces increased in the past 12 months, despite the reopening of traditional retail options. Looking ahead, 94% of consumers in the UK expect to use marketplaces at the same rate or more.
Other key findings from Mirakl’s report include: 84% of UK consumers expect their packages to arrive in three to five days or less; whilst 32% expect delivery within just one to two days.
When buying products from third-party sellers, the majority of UK respondents will research a seller before making a purchase on an online marketplace, mainly (73%) by checking reviews of the seller.
44% of Brits are more likely to purchase a product from a third-party seller on the website of a retailer they trust, whilst 64% enjoy being introduced to new brands through a brand they already trust. 72% trust the online marketplaces of the brands they already have faith in.
