IMRG insight
Our insight articles offer a unique view of online retail trends, with an expert and neutral perspective on industry best practice.
We’ve been tracking UK online sales since 2000, and we cover the key issues for online retailers with a thorough knowledge of how the online retail landscape has evolved.
We analyse the latest data and offer a deep understanding of market developments, so you can keep your finger on the online retail pulse.
Sector by Sector Online Retail Growth Forecast - 2019
22/01/2019
For the first time, IMRG can reveal its 2019 online retail growth forecast by sector.
Sector by sector online retail growth forecast - 2018
16/02/2018
For the first time, IMRG can reveal its 2018 online retail growth forecast by sector.
Traffic patterns over Black Friday and Christmas period 2017
07/02/2018
This insight article uses data from Hitwise to illustrate trends and developments around the share of traffic to online retail sites this year over the Black Friday and Christmas trading period – and analyses what these trends tell us.
How do traffic and sales growth for online retail align?
07/12/2017
A comparison of traffic data from Hitwise and online retail sales data from IMRG has revealed that, broadly speaking, growth patterns for online retail traffic and sales are fairly consistent.
Next-day delivery settled into a very reliable pattern?
11/10/2017
In August 2017, the percentage of orders using next-day and specified-day delivery reached a peak for the year so far, according to the IMRG Metapack Delivery Index.
Analysis — Weather and the Home & Garden Sector
13/09/2017
IMRG has examined 2016 weather patterns and matched them with Home & Garden performance.
1/3 of all website visits begin on the homepage – IMRG Quarterly Benchmark Q2 2017
06/09/2017
New metrics in IMRG's Quarterly Benchmark reveal that just over a third of all visits to the average retailer will start on the home page.
IMRG sector comparison – BWS continues to perform strongly in July 2017
30/08/2017
The IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Sales Index has shown that the beers, wine & spirits (BWS) sector continues to perform far better than expected at the beginning of the year.
Smartphone increases share of mobile retail (August 2017)
22/08/2017
The IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Sales Index has revealed the continuing trend towards smartphone purchases in mobile retail.
Multichannel vs online only — year-to-date performance Jan-Jul 2017
16/08/2017
The IMRG Online Retail Sales Index has revealed a disparity in the growth rates of multichannel and online-only retailers.
The click and collect trend line
09/08/2017
The IMRG Quarterly Benchmark Q1 2017 (latest available data, next update due end of August) demonstrated that click and collect has continued to grow as a popular fulfilment option for multichannel retailers.
Fashion sector leading growth in mobile transactions
26/07/2017
Criteo’s data suggests mobile devices hold the highest influence in the Fashion sector.
Sector Performance YTD - Lingerie Sector Continues Impressive Growth
05/07/2017
The June IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Sales Index has shown that Lingerie’s performance remains very strong. It leads the sectors in year-to-date growth, having been the second best performing sector in 2016.
Five things we learned at the IMRG Personalisation Forum
10/04/2017
The first IMRG Personalisation Forum of the year took place on 30 March 2017 at The Grand Connaught Rooms. Monetate and IMRG hosted a roundtable discussion about online retail personalisation, what it means today, what is current best practice, and where it will go.
Understanding shopper expectations around delivery – survey
24/03/2017
We’re now conducting our ninth annual Consumer Home Delivery Review, supported by Blackbay and maru/edr. This 50-question survey provides a highly comprehensive view of what shoppers want and expect from online delivery
Five things we learned from IMRG’s performance management forum
09/03/2017
On March 2nd 2017, Thunderhead hosted our latest Performance Management Forum in their London offices. We discussed our latest Quarterly Benchmark results and the latest in performance management with IMRG members from a range of online retail sectors.
Online fashion: customer retention rates still lag
15/02/2017
Looking at our latetst data, active retention rates for the clothing sector are lagging behind the rate for total online retail. What are the factors behind this trend and is there anything retailers can do to improve?
Analysis of a new delivery peak trend
08/02/2017
In 2016, we recorded a notable shift in the IMRG MetaPack Delivery Index over the peak Christmas trading period. The month-on-month order volume growth between November and December 2016 was just +4.5% – far lower than the equivalent in 2015.
What can retailers learn from the growth in active customer retention?
31/01/2017
We’ve seen a 67% increase in online retail customer retention rates in the last 6 years. This trend, while remarkable, is perhaps not surprising. If a retailer can persuade existing customers to keep buying, the purchases that follow don’t come with the margin-eating cost-per-acquisition of new customers.
Abandonment issues – website performance Q3 2016
11/01/2017
Q3 2016 saw an average checkout abandonment rate of of more than 30%, according to the latest IMRG Quarterly Benchmark. That’s up from the previous quarter's figures, and a year earlier in Q3 2015.