Paul Skeldon

Growth for most retailers – probably all retailers – in 2021 is going to have to come to a large extent from online. While there are many strategic approaches that need to be taken to make this happen, having the right attitude also seems to be crucial.

In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter we find that the two major trends from 2020 that are likely to continue across 2021 are that UK ecommerce is now more mobile than ever and that it is increasingly tapping into cross-border opportunities.

2020 was the biggest mobile shopping year to date, with consumers collectively spending 82 billion hours in shopping apps – 30% up from 2019. The UK also experienced a 30% growth compared to 2019.

Peak holiday trading in November from the UK to the rest of the world grew by 57% in 2020, with November seeing a 42% year on year rise for the month. Trade into the EU saw particularly high growth ahead of Brexit day on 31 January.

WHSmith saw a better than expected Christmas peak, but is bracing itself for a large hit in early 2021 as lockdowns hit its stores and travel businesses more than online can compensate for.