IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index: Solid growth for online sales as average spend through mobile devices rises

The continued positive growth for online retail sales appears to be being driven, at least in part, by higher average basket values (ABV) through mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) for both multichannel and online-only retailers – the total m-retail ABV was up +18% on March 2016, to mark the seventh straight month in which the ABV has risen YoY.

The home and garden sector – which usually experiences a peak over the Easter weekend – performed well in March, up +10% YoY versus a strong +26% last year. March featured some bright and sunny weather, which seems to have driven sales growth for the garden sector in particular, with sales up +14% YoY.

Justin Opie, managing director, IMRG: “Over the past few years we have recorded very strong online retail sales growth through smartphone devices and it seems shoppers are getting more confident about checking out with higher baskets through these devices. The reasons for this are most likely related to better-performing mobile sites, with many retailers focusing on making the experience as convenient and straightforward as possible on these devices, but it will also no doubt be being influenced by next-day delivery – it has become fairly common for online retailers to offer next-day for free if the total spend is above a set threshold.”

Bhavesh Unadkat, principal consultant in retail customer engagement design, Capgemini: “March 2017 has exhibited fairly typical behaviour. Month on month growth is positive, reversing the negative trend seen in previous Januarys and Februarys. However, month-on-month growth was still only 4.4% which is the lowest since 2008, although an increase of 13.2% on the year can be seen as strong with Easter falling in March last year. Health and Beauty (+15% on month and +31% on year) was very strong in March boosted by Mother’s Day, and Home and Garden has seen an early boost in performance driven by a warm March.”

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About the ‘IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index’

The IMRG Capgemini Index, which was started in April 2000, tracks ‘online sales’, which we define as ‘transactions completed fully, including payment, via interactive channels’ from any location, including in-store. 

Over one hundred e-retailers regularly contribute data to the IMRG Capgemini Index.

About IMRG

For over 20 years, IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group) has been the voice of e-retail in the UK. We are a membership community comprising businesses of all sizes – multichannel and pureplay, SME and multinational, and solution providers to industry.

We support our members through a range of activities – including market tracking and insight, benchmarking and best practice sharing. Our indexes provide in-depth intelligence on online sales, mobile sales, delivery trends and over 40 additional KPIs.

Our goal is to ensure our members have the information and resources they need to succeed in rapidly-evolving markets – both domestically and internationally.

www.imrg.org

About Capgemini

With more than 190,000 people, Capgemini is present in over 40 countries and celebrates its 50^th Anniversary year in 2017. A global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services, the Group reported 2016 global revenues of EUR 12.5 billion. Together with its clients, Capgemini creates and delivers business, technology and digital solutions that fit their needs, enabling them to achieve innovation and competitiveness. A deeply multicultural organization, Capgemini has developed its own way of working, the Collaborative Business Experience^TM, and draws on Rightshore^®, its worldwide delivery model.

Learn more about us at www.capgemini.com.

Rightshore^® is a trademark belonging to Capgemini