UK online retailers see big increases in searches from key export markets

UK online retailers have seen a rises in double- and triple-digits in searches from key export markets.

British online retailers had seen a big rise in visits from overseas shoppers, helping to boost sales.

The UK was already the second-biggest online retail exporter in the world, behind the US. However, according to new numbers released by the British Retail Consortium and Google, the UK retailers were investing heavily in international online experiences, localised websites and faster delivery times to drive exports.

According to Helen Dickinson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, it had taken a close look this quarter at four key export markets. She added, they had seen huge increases in searches from all of the most important.

The figures showed a massive 231 per cent increase in German smartphone searches for UK brands as also a 78 per cent surge in French tablet searches for UK retailers. The results were also supported by big rises from other key markets, such as the Netherlands and the US.

According to Dickinson, there were also very positive results from the Russian Federation and Argentina, and they would be working hard to make sure that these good trends were not undermined by proposals in these countries for import taxes targeted against cross-border internet sales.

British retailers are in a strong position to capitalise on the growing online export market after searching surges were seen from four key export markets in Q4 2013.

In addition to German and French searches for UK retailers, searches from the US were up 52 per cent with tablet searches rising 47 per cent in the Netherlands.

An across the board increase was seen in smartphone/tablets searches in the Apparel, Home & Garden, Beauty, Leisure and Department store sectors.

The figures slightly contrasted last month's research from OC&C Strategy Consultants who reported the UK was the strongest online exporter in the world.

Dickinson said, there were also very positive results from the Russian Federation and Argentina. She added the federation would be working hard to make sure that the good trends were not undermined by proposals in these countries for import taxes targeted against cross-border internet sales.