Aussies switch to online shopping in droves post-pandemic

Research reveals one in two Aussies are expecting to do half their shopping online, despite a significant return to shopping at bricks and mortar stores post pandemic.

CouriersPlease Shopping Online White Paper reveals the eCommerce boom which began during COVID lockdowns has continued, with three-quarters (73 per cent) of those surveyed saying they will have done at least 30 per cent of their shopping online this year. Over a quarter (27 per cent) will have made more than 60 per cent of their purchases online.

Respondents were quizzed on their buying habits across ten retail categories – from beauty and personal electronic devices to fashion, leisure goods, toys and games – and asked what percentage of purchases they expect to make online by the end of the year.

Richard Thame, CEO at CouriersPlease, says the high number of Aussies continuing to purchase online was unsurprising.

“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.”

Gen Z leading online uptake

Driven by convenience and fast delivery options, younger consumers are leading the switch to eCommerce, with Gen Z and millennials most likely to shop online. Over half (58 per cent) of 18 to 30-year-olds will have done at least 50 per cent of all their shopping online, followed by 53 per cent of those aged 31-50 and only a third (36 per cent) of over-50s – indicating that younger age groups appreciate the convenience that online shopping provides.

Thame suggests the ability to make a purchase whenever and wherever is a continuing driver of online shopping sales.

“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,” Thame says.

Which states are shopping online?

While almost half (48 per cent) of NSW consumers will have done fifty per cent of their shopping online this year, it is South Australian shoppers that are leaning into the trend with 54 per cent of South Australians expecting to do at least half of their shopping online.

Further to this, a higher proportion (16 per cent) of South Australians will have done 80 per cent of their shopping online by the end of the year. This compares with just 7 per cent of NSW respondents, 6 per cent of Queenslanders, 5 per cent of Victorians and 4 per cent of West Australians who said the same.

Check out the full CouriersPlease Shopping Online White Paper.  

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