Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular on the Central Coast, with latest figures from Australia Post showing Gosford was one of the top 10 locations nationwide for shopping by volume in 2019.
And if early figures for 2020 are an indication, online shopping looks likely to continue to skyrocket.
Gosford came in at number 8 on top ten list for shopping by volume, with a 14.8% increase over the previous year (excluding cafes, restaurants and take-aways), in the 2020 Inside Australia Online Shopping Report, which provides a review of all activity during 2019.
Both Gosford and Wyong featured in the top 10 location lists in a number of categories, with variety store shopping seeing the biggest rise in activity on the Coast.
Wyong featured at number 9 (with a 18.8% rise) and Gosford at number 10 (with a 17.7% rise) in this category.
Wyong increased its online shopping by 15.1% in the health and beauty category, coming in at number 8 on the top 10 list.
An interest in home improvement was reflected in the home and garden category, with Gosford coming in at number 4, with a 6.8% increase, and Wyong at number 9, with a 9.1% increase.
Both areas featured in the top 10 for hobbies and recreation, with Wyong coming in at number 7 (5.8% increase) and Gosford at number 8 (6.5% increase).
And in the specialty food and liquor category, Gosford was the third highest selling region, with a 13.5% increase over the previous year.
The report revealed that COVID-19 has set a new baseline for eCommerce in Australia, with online predicted to hold a 15 per cent share of the total retail market by the end of 2020,
Australia Post General Manager Parcel and Express Services, Ben Franzi, said the recent rate of acceleration the eCommerce industry had experienced was unprecedented.
“The industry is in overdrive and this shift happened almost overnight with growth for the eight weeks following the WHO’s announcement of the pandemic up 80 per cent year on year (YOY),” Franzi said.
“In April alone we saw over 200,000 new online shoppers enter the market, and a million more people overall shopping online every week when compared to the average in 2019.
“This influx drove the number of purchases in the 30 days to April 30 up 6.8 per cent when compared to the 30 days to December 18, 2019, a traditional peak period which includes Black Friday and the pre-Christmas rush.
“Further, the big surprise in April this year was the Easter long weekend which overtook the 2019 Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping event as the busiest period in Australian online shopping history.
“Though we’ve seen early signs of normalisation through May, all areas of the industry are still up significantly when compared to 2019, suggesting this new normal may be here to stay.”
Franzi said the pandemic hasn’t only changed Australians’ online purchase frequency; it has also impacted when they’re buying and how they’re receiving their goods.
“In the past we would see a concentration of purchasing between 7 and 10pm, but in recent months this has become more evenly spread throughout the day, as more people work from home and spend less time commuting,” he said.
“Alternate delivery options are also growing steadily, up 30 per cent YOY and we expect this growth to continue.
“Social distancing will remain a priority in the months to come so contactless will be key and services like 24/7 Parcel Lockers give shoppers choice and flexibility.”
You can see the full report at auspost.com.au/einsights.
Source:
Media release, June 19
Australia Post
2020 Inside Australia Online Shopping Report