Many Australian online retailers celebrated their busiest online shopping period ever last month, with PayPal reporting some established local retailers are beginning to fight back against international competition.
According to PayPal Australia acting managing director Elena Wise, the majority of PayPal’s local merchants experienced their biggest-ever online trading period over Christmas, with sales peaking the week commencing December 5.
The secure payment site also noted some of the country’s biggest retailers are beginning to capitalise on online investments made over the past year to 18 months.
“Many of Australia’s most established retailers have come back fighting hard against international competition…” Wise said.
Two such retailers are Dan Murphy’s and Toys’R’Us, which both experienced their largest ever online sales during the Christmas trading period. Toys’R’Us experienced healthy growth in online traffic and sales compared to 2010, with significant peaks seen in mid-November and mid-December, while Dan Murphy’s noted a spike in alcohol bought via its online channel during the holidays.
Despite the growth enjoyed by local retailers over Christmas, PayPal is tipping the continued strength of the Australian dollar means international competition will again intensify this year. Luckily however, Wise said PayPal has noted a preference by Australian consumers to spend their dollars domestically, “providing an ongoing opportunity for retailers to capitalise on their competitive advantage by combining their offline footprints with their online presence.”
“Australian consumers are nimble, and are increasingly switching between various retail channels to research, locate and buy goods and services. Consumers first and foremost demand convenient ways to purchase, be it online, via a mobile device, or in-store. Retailers that deliver great products and customer service across multiple channels are ultimately those that will reap the rewards of the new retail environment,” she added.
