Great British Online Shopping Sites! A Guide to Buying Everyday Items Online in the UK

With high living costs in the UK, one concern for students studying there is the purchase of daily necessities. What are the ways to buy daily necessities online in the UK? Are UK shopping websites cheaper for buying daily necessities? Cyclopes will introduce why, how, and recommend some UK shopping websites for buying daily necessities.

Source: Freepik

Shopping in the UK, especially outside London and other major cities, can be challenging as most stores close early (around 5 or 6 pm), leaving students with little time to shop after classes. Therefore, online shopping for daily necessities becomes a more convenient option. Moreover, many UK shopping websites offer discounts and free shipping once consumers reach a certain purchase amount. The return or exchange process is also low-cost or even free.

Tesco is one of the UK's leading grocery and merchandise retailers, offering a wide range of products to meet consumers' daily needs, such as fresh food, clothing, and household goods. Tesco also features a range of private label products, including Tesco Finest (premium products), Tesco Value (economical products), and Tesco Organic (certified organic products). Tesco provides home delivery and store pickup services. The minimum spend for delivery is £40, plus additional delivery charges, unless consumers subscribe to the Tesco Delivery Saver membership plan for free delivery.

Source: The Independent

Boots is a British health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain, offering affordable prescription services, health advice, personal care products, health items, and everyday essentials. With an online operation and a comprehensive e-commerce platform, Boots provides a mid-range pricing model with diverse products. Shopping over £22 on Boots ensures free delivery, allowing students to shop within their budget online.

For those in the UK wanting to purchase Hong Kong food and daily necessities, HKTVmall, Hong Kong's largest online shopping mall, is introduced. HKTVmall's products can be shipped directly from Hong Kong to the UK. For example, the shipping cost from Hong Kong to the UK for 5kg is between HK$24 to 48 per 0.5kg (price adjusts based on weight and membership level), promising delivery within 7 working days.

HKTVmall offers a wide variety of products, including electronics, beauty and health items, daily necessities, fashion clothing, food, and groceries. Cultural, lifestyle, and weather differences between the UK and Hong Kong might make some students uncomfortable using British daily products. HKTVmall offers many Hong Kong-made items like skin-soothing shower gels and health teas, better suited to the Hong Kong constitution. While HKTVmall provides various product discounts, students should also assess their actual needs to avoid overconsumption.

Source: HKTVmall

Understanding British shopping websites and how to utilize UK online shopping for daily necessities can greatly aid in planning life in the UK for students. Hopefully, this article provides deeper insights into UK online shopping and recommendations. If you have any questions related to studying in the UK, feel free to contact Cyclopes' professional education consultancy team for more information about studying in the UK.