the main points
- Australia Post has seen an increase in online shopping since last year, partly due to sales and promotions.
- Shoppers are becoming more savvy and cost-comparative in the face of the cost of living crisis.
- On average, 5.7 million Australian households shopped online every month during the quarter.
Data released Tuesday showed that special deals at the end of the fiscal year helped boost online shopping, with year-end sales up 4.4 percent compared to last year.
A similar trend was reflected at the end of the financial year in the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which found retail sales rose 0.6% in May due to promotions and discounts.
source: SBS News
Robert Ewing, head of business statistics at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, said that while early promotions had attracted shoppers, retail spending remained stagnant and had risen by just 1.5 per cent since May 2023.
“Retailers continue to rely on discount offers and sales to stimulate discretionary spending, after spending was restrained in recent months,” Ewing said.
Shrinking shopping baskets
Australia Post’s general manager of mail and parcels, Gary Starr, said spending habits had changed, with smaller, more frequent purchases.
State by State
South Australia recorded a 2.3 per cent increase, while Western Australia recorded a 0.4 per cent increase. Purchases in the Australian Capital Territory fell by 1.2 per cent, in Victoria by 1 per cent and in New South Wales by 0.3 per cent.
