Online sales growth continues in September with expansion across most categories

• Online retail showed further encouraging signs of growth in September, to be 1.1% higher compared to August, and 12.8% higher compared to a year ago, the highest rate since March (13.7% YoY).
• ABS data showed growth at comparable traditional retailers in August, to be 0.4% higher than July, and 2.9% higher than a year ago.
• While growth in online sales continues to outpace traditional retail, its growth rate has been slowing gradually. For example in the 12 months ending September 2011, growth was up 28.4%, significantly higher than the current rate.
• In dollar terms, we estimate Australians spent $15.9 billion on online retail in the 12 months to September 2014. This level is equivalent to 6.7% of spending at traditional bricks & mortar retailers as measured by the ABS (excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food, to create a like-for-like comparison) in the 12 months to August 2014.
• Online sales growth expanded (year on year) in almost all categories in August. Key growth areas included Homewares and Appliances (35.8%) and Electronic Games and Toys (35.1%), along with improved growth in Groceries & Liquor (12.1%), and Department Stores (11.3%). More moderate growth was seen in Fashion (6.6%), and Media (4%). Both Personal and Recreational goods (-1.2%), and Daily Deals again contracted (-9.2%).

For further analysis download the full report.

• Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – September 2014 (PDF, 57KB)