Britain’s retailers dependent on EU for online growth
The importance of the EU to the UK’s retailers has been highlighted in a British Retail Consortium report on internet searches released today.
The total number of internet searches for UK retail websites was up up 52 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, with 14 EU countries reporting that mobile search volumes had more than doubled.
“The EU is an increasingly important market for UK retailers,” said Helen Dickinson, the BRC Chief Executive. “Not only is interest in UK retail growing steadily on the continent, EU consumers are also far more likely to be experiencing the British retail offer through their smartphones.”
The Czech Republic showed the largest increase in UK retailers with a 256 per cent increase in searches of UK retail sites. The beauty sector showed particularly strong growth of 91 per cent.
The report was compiled in conjunction with Google who provide the data of every time a search is made for a retail product. Retail director, Martijn Bertisen said: “UK brands continue to drive interest from the rest of Europe: particularly our department stores and our beauty retailers.”