UK Digital Business Association launches
Six of the country’s leading online retailers launch new trade body to support and promote the continued evolution of the British digital-commerce sector
24 February – The UK Digital Business Association (UKDBA) has launched today, founded by six of the UK’s leading online retailers: ASOS, AO World, Boohoo, Gymshark, Ocado Group and THG.
The UK’s digital commerce sector is world leading. It has been a significant driver of UK economic value and been at the forefront of creating high-paying and highly skilled jobs throughout all regions of the UK. As the sector looks to the challenges of the future, UKDBA members hope to ensure ecommerce leads the debate.
Through the course of the pandemic, UKDBA members have served tens of millions of customers both in the UK and across the globe. Through continued innovation, our members have provided consumers with more convenience, choice and value, whilst ensuring an easier, more simplified shopping experience.
UKDBA’s members are all UK based businesses, deeply committed to providing economic support through job creation and through continued investment in their businesses, with over £1bn of investment planned through the course of 2021.
UKDBA members saw an increase of 40.8% in employee numbers between 2016-19, with around 10,000 further jobs expected to be added this year.
According to research published today by Grant Thornton looking into the economic impact of the sector before the pandemic, online retail grew 285.3%, with sales totalling £17.3bn in 2019 compared to £4.1bn in 2009.
With the face of ecommerce reshaped, UKDBA members will be crucial in driving the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 putting customers at the heart of their ambitions, whilst supporting the current Government’s efforts to create a technology-driven global-facing economy.
The UKDBA will provide a voice for its members, and hope to welcome new members as it develops. It will champion the sector as it continues to adapt to ever-changing consumer needs, at the same time as supporting the efforts of store-based retailers in their transition to a digital-first environment.
Commenting on the launch of the UKDBA, Founder, Iain McDonald said: “Our membership has helped underpin the UK as the most advanced e-commerce market in Europe. The British online industry is one of the UK’s greatest success stories and the UKDBA is here to champion our members, their customers’ interests, providing them a voice in a rapidly evolving world.”
