Consumers are increasing online expenses ahead of non-essential retailers in England reopening on 12 April.
According to UK software company Salesfire data, online brands witnessed a 13% month-on-month surge in orders in March, while revenue and online traffic were up 19% and 10%, correspondingly.
The fashion apparel sector did well, with garment and accessories retailers reporting a 222% year-on-year increase in sales on 31 March ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
It comes as people prepare for the easing of lockdown rules next week, when retailers, outdoor hospitality, hairdressers and gyms can reopen after months of closure.
Rich Himsworth, CEO, Salesfire said in a release, “With most of the country having spent a cold winter indoors, away from friends and family, the prospect of warmer days with the rule of six being brought back is enough to encourage consumers to spend again.”
Commenting on what he thinks the future of retail will look like, Himsworth said: “We’ve not known a high street since the Brexit transition was completed, this is another factor to consider when it comes to consumer and retailer behaviour.
“We’ve also seen the high street continue to adapt to changes in consumer behaviour and we may see trends reverse, with online stores popping up on high streets. For example, I don’t think it’s unlikely that we see the likes of Asos open brick and mortar stores.”
Salesfire collects data from 3,000 online retailers, across a range of sectors including health and beauty, fashion and electronics.
