UK and European eCommerce order volumes increased by +18 per cent in the first quarter (Q2) of 2025, with a +25 per cent spike in June, as exceptionally hot weather combined with Father’s Day gifting boosted online sales, according to data from Scurri Unpacked – Scurri’s quarterly review of eCommerce delivery trends based on over 200 million annual shipments processed through its delivery management platform.
With June 2025 confirmed by the Met Office as one of the UK’s warmest on record and much of Europe experiencing significantly higher-than-average temperatures, seasonal categories recorded the strongest performance. The rise in order volumes was led by garden and outdoor products (+48 per cent), homewares (+46 per cent), toys and fashion (both +33 per cent), and sports equipment (+31 per cent).
In the UK, eCommerce volumes increased by +6 per cent YOY in Q2, driven in part by Father’s Day spending – which was predicted to have exceeded £1.12 billion this year according to GlobalData. The influence of this gifting occasion is evident in the top-performing UK categories during the quarter, which included food and drink, fashion, pets and animals, and tools and DIY.
“May and June entered the record books as two of the hottest months seen across the UK and Europe. This, combined with Father’s Day trading, created ideal conditions for eCommerce growth. The uplift in outdoor, gifting and lifestyle categories shows how quickly consumer needs can shift and the importance of responding in real-time to capitalise on sales,” commented Rory O’Connor, Founder and CEO of Scurri.
While the UK saw steady growth, international shipping volumes were also strong. Germany posted a +37 per cent increase in volumes YOY in Q2, followed by Poland (+28 per cent) and Ireland (+21 per cent). In contrast, volumes to the United States fell by -17 per cent, reflecting the impact of 10 per cent tariffs introduced on UK goods early in the quarter (5 April 2025).
In Q2, eCommerce brands continued to use delivery options as a lever for customer satisfaction and brand trust. Signature-on-delivery services saw a +21 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter (QOQ), and a +28 per cent increase YOY, indicating a growing demand for delivery assurance among shoppers, perhaps in response to ongoing growing concern around parcel fraud and theft.
Next Day delivery volumes were flat compared to Q1 but up +29 per cent on the year, pointing to steady demand for speed. Almost all (98 per cent) garden and outdoor orders placed in the quarter were delivered via Next Day services, as shoppers looked to make the most of warmer weather.
Weekend delivery volumes dropped by -26 per cent compared to Q1, an expected decline given fewer gifting events, but year-on-year this service recorded the highest growth at +47 per cent. Meanwhile, two-day delivery saw a +19 per cent QOQ rise as shoppers seek a balanced option between cost and speed.
Share