The national postal carrier said,on average,5.5 million Australian households made at least one online purchase each month between April and June – an increase of 3.9 per cent on last year.
Transaction growth was strongest in the regions,where online purchases were up 4.2 per cent for the quarter. Transactions in the Northern Territory increased by 9.3 per cent and in Western Australia by 6.9 per cent.
Despite this,consumers spent less. Overall spending was down by 3.1 per cent nationally compared with last year. The average basket,or transaction,size was down by 6 per cent to $105,according to the report.
The data also suggests that online sales events are driving shopping activity,with the number of orders made during “end of financial year” sales up by 4.3 per cent on last year.
“Aussies are now more cautious and selective with where and when they spend their money,” Australia Post’s executive general manager of parcel,post and e-commerce services,Gary Starr,said.
Retail giant Amazon was one brand to report recently that promotions were bringing more shoppers online. The company said last week that the start of its Prime Day sales event marked the biggest ever sales day on Amazon’s Australian website.