Shopify Mobile App in the UK: Navigating the Growth of Mobile Commerce and App Shopping

Mobile shopping in the UK isn’t just growing, it’s booming. With the market expected to hit US$ 489.8 million by 2030 and growing at a strong 24.7% each year from 2025 onward, it’s clear that more and more people are turning to their phones when it’s time to shop. That’s where Shopify comes in. With over 200,000 stores in the UK and one of the largest shares of the country’s online shopping market, Shopify is helping merchants adapt to this mobile-first world. In this article, we’ll dive into why Shopify mobile apps matter more than ever for UK businesses, how Shopify is supporting this shift, and what merchants need to do to stay ahead! Let’s explore!

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1. The Evolving UK Mobile Commerce Landscape

The UK is at the forefront of a global shift towards mobile-centric retail, characterized by rapid market expansion and evolving consumer behaviors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for any business aiming to succeed in the digital economy.

1.1. Growth Trajectory and Market Projections (2024-2030)

The UK’s mobile shopping market is on a steep growth trajectory, with revenue expected to reach US$ 489.8 million by 2030, growing at a 24.7% CAGR from 2025. Starting from US$ 130.4 million in 2024, this surge reflects a clear and accelerating shift toward mobile-first shopping.

In 2024, the UK held 5% of the global mobile shopping market and is projected to lead Europe by 2030, highlighting its role as a trendsetter in mobile commerce. The broader UK e-commerce space is also thriving, with over 50 million shoppers by end-2024, and expected to hit 62.1 million by 2025. Retail e-commerce revenue is forecast to grow from $160 billion in 2024 to nearly $190 billion by 2029.

Within mobile commerce, revenue models are evolving. Subscriptions led in 2024 with a 31.29% share, but pay-as-you-go models are growing fastest, signaling a shift toward more flexible, app-based monetization.

Notably, mobile commerce’s growth rate far outpaces general e-commerce (24.7% vs. 11%), making it the main driver of future digital retail growth. As mobile usage deepens, businesses that don’t adapt risk falling behind in the most dynamic segment of the market.

With the UK setting the pace in Europe, its mobile strategies are becoming a blueprint for the region. For merchants, this means competing in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment where agile, app-focused strategies are key to winning both local and cross-border opportunities.

UK mobile shopping space market, 2018-2030 (US$M)

Table: UK Mobile Shopping Space Market Size & Outlook (2024-2030)

1.2. Dominance of Mobile and App-First Shopping

Mobile devices have become the go-to gateway for online shopping in the UK, with 75% of all e-commerce traffic now coming from mobile. Nearly half of UK shoppers made their most recent retail purchase via mobile, and 66% did so for online orders, more than double the rate of desktop users.

But it’s not just about what devices people use, the way they use them matters. The average Brit spends nearly four hours a day on their phone, with 80% of that time spent in apps rather than browsers. Since 2020, this “mobile-first mindset” has only intensified, with consumers favoring dedicated apps for their faster, smoother, and more integrated shopping experience.

And the impact is real: shoppers with a brand’s app installed are 60% more likely to make repeat purchases than those using only a mobile website. This highlights the value of “app stickiness”: apps reduce friction, deepen engagement, and build stronger loyalty over time. In this landscape, a responsive website alone just doesn’t cut it anymore. A dedicated app is quickly becoming essential to stay competitive and increase customer lifetime value.

Even more compelling, mobile app adoption is no longer limited to younger users. While 18–34-year-olds still lead usage, the fastest-growing group is over 55, signaling that mobile app commerce is now mainstream across all age groups. This opens up a much broader market and makes it vital for brands to design intuitive, accessible app experiences that resonate across generations.

2. Key UK Consumer Mobile Shopping Behaviors and Preferences

Understanding the nuanced behaviors and preferences of UK mobile shoppers is paramount for crafting effective e-commerce strategies.

Table: Key UK Mobile Shopping Behaviors and Preferences

Payment Preferences

Digital wallets are now the second most-used payment method in the UK (35%), just behind debit cards. Contactless payments dominate in-store transactions under £100 (94.6%), with older shoppers (65+) driving the fastest growth in usage. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) continues gaining ground, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, who embrace flexible, tech-friendly payment methods. While 58% of consumers have used stored payment credentials for convenience, only 34% do so regularly, highlighting potential trust or UX barriers.

Delivery Expectations

UK consumers exhibit high expectations for delivery speed and convenience. Over 50% consider same-day delivery important, and more than 60% expect next-day delivery options. A substantial 60.1% of UK consumers are willing to switch brands for more convenient delivery options, and 56.4% would consider alternatives if disappointed with delivery services. The rapid receipt of goods is not merely desired but expected, often influencing purchasing decisions. Click-and-collect features are particularly popular, with 65% of UK shoppers having utilized this service in the past year.

Social Commerce

Social media platforms are increasingly influential in UK shopping behavior. Instagram (53%) and TikTok (41%) are preferred for shopping by Gen Z, while Millennials favor Instagram (52%) and Facebook (49%). One in five UK consumers plans to make a retail purchase through social platforms in 2025, with Gen Z leading this trend at 37%. Overall, 66.4% of UK consumers state that a brand’s social media presence influences their purchasing decisions, and 76.4% plan to increase purchases through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. TikTok’s live shopping features exemplify this shift, transforming social media into powerful e-commerce engines. 

Value and Trust

Consumer confidence is impacted by economic pressure, with 80% believing the UK economy is in poor shape, leading to cautious spending on discretionary items. Despite this, there is a rise in spending on groceries and affordable indulgences. Notably, Gen Z places significant value on brand ethics (18%) and sustainability (25%) as factors in their brand choice, often prioritizing these over traditional loyalty schemes. Over half of consumers (50.6%) are informed by value-driven choices, opting for brands that demonstrate eco-friendly practices or support local businesses/secondhand options.

User Experience (UX) Expectations

Shoppers demand fast, responsive pages with minimal tapping and no delays. They expect easy-to-navigate online stores, readily available product information, and access to rewards and loyalty programs. A significant disconnect exists: while 61% of UK merchants offer cross-channel capabilities, only 13% of shoppers report using these features, suggesting a friction point in implementation or communication. For stored payment credentials, the key drivers for adoption are speed (62%), ease/convenience (57%), and trust (36%).

Short conclusion:

Despite being mobile-first in behavior, UK consumers show surprisingly low engagement with key digital shopping features, especially cross-channel tools. This highlights a disconnect: while the technology is in place, execution is falling short. Complex interfaces, unclear benefits, or poorly integrated features are likely culprits.

For merchants, this gap is a clear opportunity. By simplifying cross-channel experiences, making stored payment options feel safe and convenient, and delivering truly frictionless mobile journeys, brands can better meet consumer expectations and drive deeper engagement.

At the same time, the growing power of social media in purchasing decisions, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, is reshaping the role of commerce. These shoppers don’t just buy from brands; they buy into them. Ethical values and sustainability increasingly influence purchase choices, making social platforms essential not just for sales, but for authentic brand storytelling.

3. Aligning Shopify Mobile App Features with UK Consumer Expectations

To succeed in the UK’s mobile-first market, merchants must align their Shopify mobile features with the specific behaviors and high expectations of British consumers. Below is a comprehensive analysis of Shopify mobile app key features for UK customers:

3.1. Optimizing User Experience (UX) for Mobile-First Shoppers

• Prioritize Speed and Simplicity: UK mobile shoppers expect fast-loading pages, smooth navigation, and minimal taps. Clean layouts, clear calls to action, and accessible loyalty programs help turn casual browsers into confident buyers.
• Avoid Full-Screen Pop-Ups: Pop-ups on mobile can frustrate users if shown too early or cover the entire screen. Delay them until users are engaged (e.g., 30+ seconds or 2–3 pages in) and always include a clear “X” for easy dismissal.

• Streamlined Menus: Implement clean, easy-to-navigate menus (e.g., “hamburger” menus) with clear categories and sub-menus. Consider incorporating product photography or icons to enhance the browsing experience.  
• Persistent Key Actions: Ensure essential elements, such as search, shopping cart, and account login, are always visible and easily accessible, often via a sticky header or footer.  
• Prominent Search and Filters: Provide a highly visible search bar with type-ahead functionality and intuitive filtering/sorting options (e.g., secondary sliding menus for quick filtering) to help users quickly find products.  
• Optimized Visuals: Use high-quality images and videos with zoom capabilities to provide detailed product views, and ensure images are optimized for fast loading on mobile devices (e.g., lazy loading, efficient file types).  
• Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons: Design CTAs that are highly visible, appropriately sized for tapping, and use concise, direct language

3.2. Seamless Checkout and Flexible Payments

• One-Click/Streamlined Checkout: Minimize steps and form fields, enabling features like address autocomplete and saved payment methods. Support digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and allow for saved payment credentials to reduce friction.  
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Options: Integrate BNPL services to offer payment flexibility, aligning with their growing popularity among UK consumers.  
• Secure Payment Gateway: Ensure robust security for all transactions, building trust with consumers who prioritize secure payment experiences.  

3.3. Efficient Delivery and Order Management

• Real-Time Order Tracking: Provide live updates on order status and delivery progress to meet consumer expectations for transparency and reduce anxiety.  
• Delivery Guarantees (Shop Promise): Clearly display predicted delivery dates and guarantees to build customer confidence and increase conversions.  
• Flexible Fulfillment Options: Offer popular choices like local delivery and in-store pickup (click-and-collect) to cater to diverse consumer preferences.  

3.4. Personalization and Engagement Tools

• Push Notifications: Utilize targeted push notifications for new arrivals, exclusive deals, back-in-stock alerts, and abandoned cart reminders to re-engage customers.  
• Personalized Recommendations: Leverage AI to provide relevant product suggestions throughout the app journey, enhancing discoverability and relevance for individual shoppers.  
• Loyalty Programs: Integrate features that allow customers to track points, redeem rewards, and access exclusive perks directly within the app, fostering repeat business.  
• Direct Buyer Communications: Enable shoppers to follow stores and receive updates, building a continuous relationship between brand and customer.  
• Post-Purchase Offers: Automatically share offers for future purchases during the critical post-order period to drive repeat business.  

3.5. Trust-Building and Support Features

• Product Reviews & Ratings: Prominently display customer reviews and ratings to adapt with “haul culture” and user-generated content, therefore boost credibility and influence purchasing decisions.
• Prominent In-App Support: Include an easily accessible chat widget or other support options that are visible but non-intrusive, ensuring quick assistance for mobile shoppers.  
• Transparency: Clearly display shipping details upfront on product pages and in the cart to reduce abandonment.  

>> Read more: 10 Best Shopify Review Apps With Pictures in 2025

3.6. Global and Social Commerce Readiness

• Multi-language and Multi-currency Support: For merchants with international aspirations, the app should support multiple languages and currency conversions to provide a localized shopping experience.  
• Social Media Integration: Facilitate seamless sharing of products to social platforms and optimize content for social commerce, given its significant influence on UK purchasing decisions, especially among younger demographics.

4. How to build a Shopify Mobile App effectively?

Establishing a robust mobile presence is critical for UK merchants. Shopify offers various pathways, from leveraging built-in optimization tools to developing dedicated mobile applications. Within the scope of this article, Simicart will focus on the simplest, fastest and most economical method, which is to take advantage of app builders to convert your store into a mobile app without code. 

Accordingly, you just need to visit the Shopify app store, search the keyword “mobile app” or “mobile app builder,” and the website will quickly suggest a series of tools suitable for your purposes. Some notable names with unique features include:

• Simicart: Offers completely free app publishing, unlike competitors that may charge for launching or require upgraded plans.
• Shopney: Integrates with popular Shopify apps (e.g., Klaviyo, Meta), though some integrations are limited to premium plans.
• Vajro: Live selling via video on the app and Facebook, boosting impulse purchases.
• Tapcart: Market leader for larger businesses with advanced technical needs, though pricier and less flexible for smaller stores.
• Appbrew: Focuses on high-performance apps for DTC brands, with extensive integrations and a modern tech stack, though newer and less proven.

>> Read more: 

• 15 Best Shopify Mobile App Builders in 2025
• Shopify Mobile App Pricing Breakdown: Building and Launching Fees

For Shopify store owners looking to reach more mobile customers without the hassle of coding or expensive development, Simicart is the easiest no-code mobile app builder, allowing you to create and launch your own iOS and Android apps quickly. Unlike complex or costly solutions, Simicart offers a simple drag-and-drop interface and a free plan to effortlessly tap into the power of mobile commerce.

>> Try our app for free!

How can Simicart help you build a Shopify mobile app fast and cost-effectively?

In essence, UK Shopify merchants who invest in understanding and actively responding to mobile consumer behavior, by optimizing their online presence for mobile and, where strategic, developing dedicated Shopify mobile app, are best positioned to convert casual browsers into loyal customers, enhance brand engagement, and ultimately drive sustainable growth in the dynamic mobile commerce landscape. The future of UK retail is undoubtedly in the palm of the customer’s hand!