Bricks and mortar stores have made a significant comeback over the past 18 months, but online habits acquired by shoppers in the last three years appear to have stuck. New research reveals the continuing impact of the e-commerce boom, as almost half (47%) of Aussies say they will have done more than 50% of their shopping online this year, and three-quarters (73%) will have done at least 30% of their shopping online this year.
The findings were derived from a survey commissioned by leading parcel delivery service CouriersPlease. The survey involved an independent panel of 1005 Australian adults who have made at least three online purchases in the last three months.
Respondents were presented with 10 retail categories – from fashion, beauty and personal electronic devices to leisure goods, toys and games – and asked what percentage of purchases they expect to make online by the end of the year.
CouriersPlease found that almost half (47%) expect that by the end of the year, they will have done more than 50% of their shopping across these categories online. Over a quarter (27%) will have made more than 60% of their purchases online.
CouriersPlease CEO Richard Thame says the results come as little surprise to the parcel delivery company. “We delivered more than 30 million parcels across Australia and internationally last year, up two million from delivery figures in 2021. These survey results reflect what we have been seeing at CouriersPlease; consumers are continuing to use online retailers for their purchases, with a significant proportion relying on online retail for more than half of their shopping.”
The results reveal that the younger the consumer, the more likely they are to do their shopping online. Over half (58%) of 18–30-year-olds will have done at least 50% of all their shopping online, followed by 53% of those aged 31-50 and only a third (36%) of over-50s – indicating that younger age groups appreciate the convenience that online shopping provides.
A report released in 2022 confirmed that convenience is still the number one reason for purchasing online, and that fast shipping and click and collect options are a key driver for shoppers to confirm a sale.
Mr Thame said: “One of the biggest benefits of online shopping is it provides a quick and easy way to make a purchase without having to leave the home or office. Aussies can search for a product, check the price against other brands, select the most convenient delivery or collection option, and then make the payment. All can be done within minutes and with just a click of a button.”
When comparing responses across the States, CouriersPlease found that respondents in South Australia are leaning more heavily towards online shopping. Fifty-four (54)% of SA respondents will have done at least half of their shopping online by the end of the year – followed by 48% in NSW, 47% in Victoria, 41% in Queensland and 36% in Western Australia.
Furthermore, a higher proportion (16%) of South Australians will have done 80% of their shopping online by the end of the year. This compares with just seven per cent of NSW respondents, six per cent of Queenslanders, five per cent of Victorians and four per cent of West Australians who said the same.
Out of the States surveyed, South Australia has the smallest population, with 1.8 million recorded in September 2022.2 With a smaller population comes less densely populated areas and fewer retail options compared with the larger states. Online shopping offers consumers a wider variety and abundance of products.
The full survey results can be found here: CouriersPlease Shopping Online White Paper.