Almost Half the UK Is Getting Smart Speakers by 2022
Picture this: your kitchen table is now a talking sales clerk. Voice‑activated gadgets like Amazon Echo and Google Home are turning up the retail heat, and the numbers back it up.
Money on the Mic
- By 2022, £3.5 bn is expected to funnel into voice commerce in the UK.
- Right now, voice shopping accounts for £0.2 bn, which is about 0.1% of all online spend.
- In the past year, 44 % of smart‑speaker owners actually made a purchase — a sharp jump from earlier estimates.
Smart Speakers Are the New King of Convenience
Smart phones turned the tide for mobile commerce. Now, smart speakers are steering a whole new wave. Since Amazon launched the first Echo in 2014, UK households that own one have surged from 10 % to an expected 50 % by 2022.
Why Amazon Is Winning the Battle of the Bots
- Amazon Echo currently outsells Google Home in the UK by a 4:1 ratio.
- Consumers lean heavily on Amazon for low‑cost items like groceries or everyday essentials.
- Brands want to be listed as Amazon’s “Choice” because 85 % of shoppers pick the recommended product, potentially tripling sales.
Expert Insight
Will Hayllar, Partner and Global Head of Consumer Goods at OC&C, says:
“Voice commerce removes the friction of research and gets customers straight to the checkout. As smart speakers become household staples, retailers who can sync with voice assistants—and earn shoppers’ trust—will ride the win‑win wave.”
Ready to Talk Your Way to Sales?
Retailers better get their tech game on. Think about which voice platform fits best, build credibility with the spoken interface, and watch that bottom line grow. The competition is heating up; it’s time to put your voice in the spotlight.
