Online sales still modest against total sales

Australian online retail sales are up 23 per cent year-on-year in September, according to the National Online Retail Sales Index.

For the year to September 2012, Australia’s online retail sales totalled $12.1 billion.

Compared with the previous month, the NAB Online Retail Sales Index edged a little lower in September – down to 200 points from 210 points in August.

“There may be a seasonal component to this trend – with month-on-month declines observed in both September 2010 and September 2011.” NAB said in its report.

However, this level is still modest compared to traditional sales as it is only equivalent to 5.5 per cent of the traditional bricks and mortar retail sales for the year ended August 2012.

Although, the growth rate for online retail sales continues to outperform that of the traditional bricks and mortar sector. Traditional sales increased in August – up by +4.0 per cent year-on year (nonseasonally adjusted). It should be noted that in seasonally adjusted terms, there was a slowing in growth down from +3.8 per cent to +3.3 per cent.

“Domestic online retailers continue to innovate – in an effort to develop or maintain a competitive advantage. An increasing number of firms are offering express delivery, in some cases same day delivery – in order to attract customers,” NAB said.