UK and European e-commerce order volumes increased +18 percent YOY in Q2 as soaring summer temperatures spiked sales

UK and European e-commerce order volumes increased by +18 percent in the first quarter (Q2) of 2025, with a +25 percent 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 e-commerce 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 percent), homewares (+46 percent), toys and fashion (both +33 percent), and sports equipment (+31 percent).

In the UK, e-commerce volumes increased by +6 percent 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 can be seen in the top performing UK categories during the quarter, which included food and drink, fashion, pet and animal 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 e-commerce 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 percent increase in volumes YOY in Q2, followed by Poland (+28 percent) and Ireland (+21 percent).  In contrast, volumes to the United States fell by -17 percent, reflecting the impact of 10 percent tariffs introduced on UK goods early in the quarter (5th April 2025).

In Q2, e-commerce brands continued to use delivery options as a lever for customer satisfaction and brand trust.  Signature-on-delivery services saw a +21 percent increase quarter-on-quarter (QOQ), and a +28 percent 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 percent on the year, pointing to steady demand for speed. Almost all (98 percent) 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 percent compared to Q1, an expected decline given fewer gifting events, but year-on-year this service recorded the highest growth at +47 percent. Meanwhile two-day delivery saw a +19 percent QOQ rise as shoppers seek a balanced option between cost and speed.

Rory concluded: “With Scurri Unpacked, we’re opening access to our delivery data and sharing valuable insights that not only empower customers but democratise those insights for the entire industry, helping inform strategy, improve performance and navigate ongoing and fast-paced change.”

Image courtesy of Unsplash. Photo credit: Laura Chouette.