Online Computer & Tablet Retailers in the UK - Industry Market Research Report

Powering down: Revenue growth slows from its pandemic spike as more people use smartphones to get online

Online computer and tablet retailers' revenue is expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 8.7% over the five years through 2023-24 to £1.1 billion, including a forecast hike of 1.6% in 2023-24. Sales are edging upwards as people continue moving further online in place of shopping in person, while improvements in computer and tablet capabilities are also driving demand higher. However, uncertain economic prospects, with the cost-of-living crisis raging on, are limiting growth. At the same time, tablet sales are dipping as consumers show an increasing preference for either smartphones or laptops instead, especially ultraportable laptops and ultrabooks. According to Ofcom data, 78% of UK adults aged 16 and over owned a laptop in 2022, up 2 percentage points from 2020. The shifting focus of major tech companies towards online platforms to reduce supply chain costs has also been a key driver of this growth.

Companies in the Online Computer and Tablet Retailers industry retail desktop, notebook and tablet computers via the internet. While most players purchase goods from domestic and international manufacturers and wholesalers to sell to end consumers, there are also manufacturers that bypass the middleman and sell their goods directly to consumers.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.