In the latest e-commerce insights update, Australia Post has revealed the national online purchases in January grew 44 per cent year-on-year, indicating a strong start to online shopping this year.
Online shopping is off to a strong start in 2021, but according to data from Australia Post’s Feburary e-commerce update, the numbers couldn’t compete with December’s record breaking numbers.
State Overview
December 2020, New South Wales had the greatest share of eCommerce purchases across the country, possibly due to COVID-19 restrictions in place for Greater Sydney.
With restrictions continuing into January, the state maintained 34% of all online purchases and grew the fastest of all states, up 50% YOY for the month. ‘Snap’ lockdowns in both Queensland and Western Australia saw both states increase their share of total online purchases – the only states to do so from December to January.
What people bought
Household Participation
Household online participation remained high in January, with over 5.2 million households making an online purchase.
January household numbers were on par with the figures held in the early months of the pandemic. Strong ongoing consumer engagement with online shopping indicates that customers continue to turn to eCommerce more readily for their day-to-day shopping needs.
A more detailed study will be available soon: Inside Australian Online Shopping 2021 eCommerce Report – available March.