Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
Retailing has undergone something of a revolution, with online retailing emerging from a niche activity as little as a decade ago, to becoming one of the most dynamic and relevant ways of connecting with customers today. The E-commerce & Online Auctions industry has switched from catalogue and mail order business models, to wholly embracing the internet, with rapid increases in internet speeds and internet-enabled devices.
Industry revenue is estimated to increase an average annual rate of 8.9% in the five years through 2011-12 – largely defying the global economic downturn – to reach a total of £59.2 billion. Online retailers are generally able to operate with lower cost structures, broader geographical reach, and wider product ranges than shopfront retailers... purchase to read more
Industry Report - Industry Locations Chapter
Unlike other retail industries, London is not the dominant centre of the E-commerce & Online Auctions industry. A key reason for this is the cost of real estate in the greater London area. Online retailers generally do not need to locate themselves in expensive real estate markets, and are often able to operate just as effectively and for a lower cost in cheaper areas with good infrastructure. The three regions of the United Kingdom with the largest percentage of industry revenue are the North West, Yorkshire and East of England. East of England, with its convenient access to many of the largest cities in the United Kingdom, is also home to the largest sea port of Felixstowe in Suffolk... purchase to read more