Australian Online Sales Went ‘Through the Roof’ in August

Unsurprisingly, online sales have continued to grow as Australia’s largest states – Victoria and New South Wales – battle ongoing lockdowns. What’s more, it looks like this trend is set to continue even after Christmas is over.

A record 44.2 billion was spent online in August alone, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is an increase of 15.1 percent month-on-month, and 36.4 percent compared to August last year.

Specifically, non-food related online sales increased by 16.3 percent month-on-month and is up 39.2 percent YoY.

The omnichannel investment that retailers have put in over the last two years have clearly paid off, with the ‘astonishing’ growth inonline, said Paul Zahra, the CEO of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).

“Many Australians are turning to the internet for their shopping in a big way with so many of us subject to stay-at-home orders, and that’s reflected in the ABS figures released today with online sales in August going through the roof,” said Zahra.

“This elevated level of online spending is likely to continue right through to Christmas and Australians should make plans to shop earlier this year.”

According to a report in conjunction with Roy Morgan, the ARA has forecast that 48 percent of Christmas shopping will be done online this year. “[T]here’s unlikely to be a let-up in demand for products online,” said Zahra.

The ongoing supply chain issue impacting retailers currently is not Australia-specific, and they are likely to continue for a while, Zahra explained. “There’s a myriad of issues disrupting supply chains this year and whilst retailers have been navigating this extremely well, these supply chain demands are likely to continue for the foreseeable future,” he said.

“With a reopening is on the cards in locked down parts of the country in the coming days and weeks and only 80 days to go till Christmas, consumers should consider shopping now to avoid disappointment.”

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