The way Britons shop for clothes has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdowns forced people to stay at home, online shopping shifted from being a convenience to becoming part of everyday life. Years later, that habit has remained, with platforms such as Shein, Vinted and eBay competing directly with high street retailers including Primark, H&M and New Look.
According to a July 2025 report by UniformMarket, 20.9% of consumers globally now prefer buying fashion online. Much of that growth has been driven by low-cost retailers offering thousands of styles at prices that many traditional shops struggle to match.
