Overseas mobile searches for UK brands grew by 17 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2018, up from 13 per cent growth in the first quarter.

This is according to the latest BRC-Google Online Retail Monitor, which found that in the UK, the North and Yorkshire represented the highest portion of Google searches in the second quarter with 26 per cent, followed by Greater London (23 per cent).

In Europe, Italy demonstrated the strongest year-on-year growth in searches for UK brands, reporting a 31 per cent uptick.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, noted that the good weather has resulted in greater searches for home and garden products, with barbeques and garden furniture among the top search terms in Europe. “At the same time, end of school term has created a surge in searches for prom dresses and computer games to entertain kids during the long holidays.”

“Online retail search activity is maintaining its growth trajectory, being driven by consumers moving online to shop. Given this growth, some retailers will be looking at the opportunities for exporting offers to other countries. These trends will continue as retailers continue to invest in the evolution of their online offering for shoppers.”

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