Strong Aussie dollar and Christmas rush sees increasing number of consumers turn to online retailers
December 9, 2010
With the Aussie dollar stronger than ever, online shopping giants like Brisbane-based dstore.com are seeing record number of sales, with sales up 15-25 percent compared to this time last year.
Australians have embraced the digital economy with a recent Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) study revealing that almost 90 percent of internet users are now comfortable with making online transactions.
According to ACMA research, users aged between 25 and 30 are the busiest online shoppers.
Overall in the industry, the most popular goods and services purchased online include: travel goods and services (56 percent); event, concert or movie tickets (43 percent) and household goods such as furniture, electrical appliances, computer equipment (37 percent).
ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman says the survey found 88 percent of household internet users completed one or more e-commerce activities, while 69 percent purchased at least one good or service in the past six months.
The latest ABS figures show that retail figures are flat, although at the same time, internet shopping trends and consumer popularity is continually on the rise.
“Online shopping is allowing consumers to purchase more affordably and efficiently by making it easier to locate goods and services and allowing them to compare the costs of items,” dstore CEO Andrew Cooper says.
With Christmas only weeks, online shoppers are opting to save time and money and beat the Christmas rush at busy shopping centres around the country.
“This year we’re seeing similar trends in popular buys with kids’ toys and adult gadgets top of the list,” Cooper adds.