logo

Existing customer? Login

Winning Post: Australia Post 2023 Online Shopping Report review

by Andrew Fanner,
Apr 13, 2023
Transport Software Integrations
Transport Software Integrations

Table of Contents:

Increasing numbers of Australian shoppers are using e-commerce for purchasing goods and services according to new research conducted by Australia Post.    

In 2022, Aussies spent a record $353 billion on retail goods, up 9.2% from the previous year. As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic begin to fade, the most successful retailers are combining traditional “bricks and mortar” shops with an online presence to give their customers access to an all-around shopping experience.  

In this article, we’ll briefly examine current retail trends in Australia and how these will impact your delivery business

Bricks and Clicks

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a massive drop in traditional brick-and-mortar shopping and a large upsurge in online shopping. But as the reverberations of the pandemic diminish, consumers are returning to the shops (both online and traditional) in record numbers.  

These are some of the key statistics uncovered in Australia Post’s 2023 Inside Australian Online Shopping survey:  

  • 9.4 million Australian households made an online purchase in 2022.  
  • An average of 5.6 million households shopped online every month.
  • Online purchasing in remote and rural areas increased by 5.7% and 6.4% respectively.

Retailers with both a physical store and an online presence enjoyed the most success in 2022. Retailers who invested in digital shopping systems to integrate and augment their traditional shops saw a collective 7% increase in their share of online spending compared to 2019.  

E-Commerce for the Win!

As consumers opt for more sustainable shopping options, e-commerce is emerging as one of the dominant methods for people to buy, sell and receive the goods and services they need. In addition to this, many environmentally aware shoppers are now opting for more sustainable delivery options…even if it means waiting longer for their goods to arrive. 

Generation Alpha

This “hyper-connected” cohort, comprising kids born after 2010 (the iPad’s release year), is highly aware of the need to reduce emissions and conserve resources. For this reason, Generation Alpha and Generation Z are increasingly choosing e-commerce as their preferred shopping option. 

Recyclable, reusable or biodegradable packaging is now seen by these younger consumers as a basic requirement for online shopping.      

Sustainability audit

With 56% of consumers surveyed by Australia Post opting to receive their packages later in order to reduce environmental impact, delivery companies need to audit their systems to ensure that they are meeting these new needs.
Software systems that can accurately monitor the position of goods in the supply chain are rapidly becoming a vital factor in auditing a delivery company’s sustainability.

Supply Chain Resilience

The ability of a delivery company to build a resilient supply chain through technology requires a completely new mindset. In the 15 years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains operated smoothly. This led to companies operating on systems that kept costs low but ignored the element of reliability.

The Stockwhip Effect

Even a minor change in consumer demand can result in large oscillations along the supply chain. In marketing circles, this is known as the “stockwhip effect” as these changes can flow rapidly down the supply chain picking up speed as they go. With Australia’s climate prone to environmental disruptions such as flooding and bushfires, along with our isolation from overseas suppliers, our supply chains can easily become disrupted.  

Technology is the key

End-to-end visibility is now a key part of every supply chain. Software systems that provide real-time data and advanced analytical capabilities allow delivery and logistics companies to monitor changes in the supply chain and move to respond to any disruptions quickly. 

Out For Delivery

According to Australia Post’s research, the expectation for growth in retail will sit at around 3% per year over the next ten years. Over one million more households are shopping online in Australia compared to 2019 and this trend is likely to continue. By 2033 it is estimated that around 1 in 3 dollars will be spent online.

So how does this impact companies involved in delivery and supply chain logistics? The answer is simple. There has never been a better time to invest in software to automate, control and monitor your delivery processes. 

With more and more goods and services being purchased online, your delivery company stands to benefit greatly from adopting a robust, user-friendly system to ensure that your customers’ goods are delivered on time, intact and in a manner that completely satisfies their needs.