United Kingdom (UK) Off to University: Analysing Buying Dynamics, Channel Usage, Spending and Retailer Selection

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The GlobalData Retail UK Off to University 2025 report forms part of the Retail Occasions series, and offers a comprehensive overview of the retail occasion of students starting and returning back to university, analysing the market, the major players, the main trends and consumer attitudes.

Scope

Consumers are less inclined to trade down to own-brand items to save money on university purchases.

Impulse purchases declined overall in 2024 as consumers made more considered purchases.

Consumers opting to use third-party pickup for fulfilment of university items has risen above 2023 levels.

Key Highlights

Off to uni shoppers generally feel better off financially compared to 2024, resulting in increased total spend and higher penetration across categories

Impulse purchases increased overall in 2025 as consumers have more discretionary income to spend

Off to uni shoppers are increasingly prioritising convenience, with more consumers wanting to buy everything at a single retailer and wanting to buy sets e.g. a kitchen set with all kitchenware items for a single price.

Reasons to Buy

Use our in-depth consumer insight to learn which off to university categories are shopped the most by consumers and ensure that product offerings are catering to the needs and wants of customers.

Understand what drives consumers to use a retailer for their purchases, such as convenience, value for money and delivery options in order to maximise sales potential.

Use our in-depth analysis to understand which retailers are leading in certain off to university categories.

Aldi
Amazon
Apple
Argos
ASDA
B&M
Blackwells
Boots
Currys
Daunt Books
Dunelm
GAME
H&M
HMV
Home Bargains
IKEA
JD Sports
John Lewis & Partners
Lidl
Marks & Spencer
Marks Electricals
Morrisons
Next
Poundland
Primark
Ryman
Sainsbury's
Shein
Superdrug
Temu
Tesco
The Works
TK Maxx
Waterstones
WH Smith
Zara

Table of Contents

CONSUMER ATTITUDES

People purchased for

Promotions and offers

Financial Wellbeing

Spending

Buying dynamics

Off to university statements

OFF TO UNIVERSITY

Category summary

Retailer selection

Channel usage

Store type

Device usage

Fulfilment

Buying dynamics

Purchase timing

METHODOLOGY

Table

Proportion of spend by category (%), 2025 and 2024

Bedroom products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on bedroom items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for bedroom items, 2025 and 2024

Kitchen products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on kitchen items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for kitchen items, 2025 and 2024

Clothing & footwear products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on clothing & footwear items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for clothing & footwear items, 2025 and 2024

Health & beauty products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on health & beauty items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for health & beauty items, 2025 and 2024

Utility products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on utility items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for utility items, 2025 and 2024

Stationery products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on stationery items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for stationery items, 2025 and 2024

Accessories products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on accessories items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for accessories items, 2025 and 2024

Bathroom products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on bathroom items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for bathroom items, 2025 and 2024

Electricals products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on electricals items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for electricals items, 2025 and 2024

Books purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on books, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for books, 2025 and 2024

Entertainment products purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on entertainment items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for entertainment items, 2025 and 2024

Miscellaneous items purchased, 2025 and 2024

Average spend on miscellaneous items, 2025 and 2024

Top 10 retailers used for miscellaneous items, 2025 and 2024

Categories bought on impulse (%), 2025 and 2024

Reasons for purchasing after arriving at university, 2025

Figures

Who people are buying off to university items for, 2025 and 2024

Appealing and used promotions, 2025

Financial wellbeing, 2025 and 2024

Total spending, 2025 and 2024

How did consumers finance their spending, 2025 and 2024

Category proportion of total spend, 2025 and 2024

Off to university statements, 2025

Penetration for off to university categories, 2025 and 2024

Drivers of retailer selection, 2025

Channel usage for purchasing off to university products, 2025 and 2024

Store type for purchasing off to university products, 2025 and 2024

Device usage for purchasing off to university products, 2025 and 2024

Fulfilment options for off to university purchases made online, 2025 and 2024

Bedroom penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Kitchen penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Clothing & footwear penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Health & beauty penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Utility penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Stationery penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Accessories penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Bathroom penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Electricals penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Books penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Entertainment penetration overall for 2025, 2024 and 2023, and by demographic, 2025

Miscellaneous items penetration overall for 2025 and 2024, and by demographic, 2025

Planned/impulse purchases, 2025

Categories purchased before/after arriving at university, 2025

United Kingdom (UK) Off to University: Analysing Buying Dynamics, Channel Usage, Spending and Retailer Selection standard reports
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