New research from packaging business DS Smith among 2,000 adults appears to show that lockdown has led to Scotland becoming a nation of online shoppers – with millions in Scotland and across the UK planning to continue their digital spending spree despite restrictions being lifted.
Some 87% of Scots say they are planning to shop online at the same level, if not more, as restrictions ease, suggesting that Scots are committed to online shopping for the long haul. The drastic shift suggests a permanent structural change to the e-commerce landscape.
Key insights for Scotland include:
- 53% of Scots have shopped more online since Covid-19
- 35% of Scots have been buying groceries online more since Covid-19
- 25% of Scots have bought more alcohol online since Covid-19
- 87% Scots will keep buying items online at the same level as during lockdown, if not more, as restrictions ease
- 62% of Scots will keep buying groceries online at the same level and more as restrictions ease
- 48% of Scots will buy alcohol online at the same level as lockdown and more as restrictions ease.
The changes aren’t just about volume. Not only are customers buying more online, they’re also buying in new ways. Nearly a third of Brits said they have signed up to a new shopping website that they hadn’t used before lockdown. Spending on meal kits and grocery delivery boxes soared by 114% after people were told to stay indoors.
