Author

Brien McDonald

“Brien’s chief responsibilities are Industry Ratings and analysis that provides industry insights”

Brien is an Economist at NAB and is involved predominantly in the area of industry insight using risk metrics. Brien’s chief responsibilities are Industry Ratings and analysis that provides industry insights.

He is a regular attendee on Sector boards and contributor to Risk appetite statements.

Prior to NAB Economics Brien was involved in the NAB Credit Risk area, in the development and monitoring quantitative credit risk assessment models.

Before life at NAB, Brien was an Associate Lecturer in Economics at LaTrobe University, teaching in areas related to economic development focussing on Asia, and the international business environment.

Recently Published Articles

NAB Online Retail Sales Index: May 2018

NAB Online Retail Sales Index: May 2018

3 July 2018

NAB Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) slowed slightly in May (+1.2% mom s.a.) from stronger growth in April (1.6%). 12 months to growth was also slower in May, with sales up 17.2% compared to April’s 12 month to growth of 18.4%. While slowing, trend online retail sales is still much stronger compared to the same period a year ago.

NAB Online Retail Sales Index: May 2018
NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – June 2016

NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – June 2016

3 August 2016

National Australia Bank’s latest Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) shows online spending grew by 13.5% in the 12 months to June 2016. While still strong, growth has flattened from the year-on-year growth seen back in 2011 when the index was first established.

NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – June 2016
NAB Online Retail Sales Index – June 2015

NAB Online Retail Sales Index – June 2015

3 August 2015

At -0.1% the latest seasonally adjusted nab online retail sales index shows sales growth was virtually flat in May, a significant slowdown on the 1.6% growth recorded in April. At 0.5%, the trend estimate for online retail sales was unchanged on the previous month.

NAB Online Retail Sales Index – June 2015
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2015

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2015

5 May 2015

The latest NAB online retail sales index shows sales experienced growth of 0.8% in March, seasonally adjusted. At 0.3%, the trend estimate for Online retail sales slowed relative to February, but remained positive. We estimate that online sales are now 8.0% higher compared to a year ago.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2015
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2015

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2015

2 April 2015

Online retail experienced strong growth in February, with sales growing 1.7% compared to January (0.3%). This month’s NORSI trend growth result is much faster than that recorded in February 2014 (0.2%). We estimate that online sales are now 8.7% higher compared to a year ago.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2015
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2014

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2014

4 February 2015

Online retail experienced a modest growth in December, with sales growing 0.1% compared to November (-0.3%), and 8.9% higher compared to a year ago. In dollar terms, we estimate Australians spent $16.4 billion on online retail in the 12 months to December 2014.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2014
Online Retail Sales Index – November 2014

Online Retail Sales Index – November 2014

22 December 2014

Online sales growth slows markedly in November with most categories following suit. Despite the general slowdown, at category level, Electronic Games and Toys maintained recent momentum. In dollar terms, Australians spent approxinately $16.3 billion on online retail.

Online Retail Sales Index – November 2014
Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2014

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2014

3 December 2014

Australia’s online retail spending increased to $16.19 billion for the year to October 2014, or by 11.9% annually. It now represents around 6.8% of traditional retail spending. The share of domestic spending continues to edge higher, now controlling 75.2% of total online spending.

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2014
Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2014

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2014

3 September 2014

Australia’s online retail spending continues to increase following a period of more subdued growth and is now valued at around $15.6 billion for the year to July 2014. This represents annual growth of 8.6%, placing online at around 6.6% of traditional retail spending.

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2014
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2014

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2014

6 May 2014

In the year to March 2014, Australians spent $15.2 billion on online retail. This level is equivalent to 6.6% of spending with traditional bricks & mortar retailers (excluding cafés, restaurants and takeaway food to create a like-for-like comparison) in the year to February.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – March 2014
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2014

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2014

2 April 2014

Recent improved momentum in online sales stall in February – with trends weaker for most categories – strength remains in Groceries & Liquor, but Personal & Recreational Goods and Daily Deals contract. Online spending up to $15 billion in the past year.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – February 2014
Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2013

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2013

5 February 2014

Recent improved momentum in online sales maintained in December – with trends positive for most categories - strength in Electronic Games and Toys, Groceries and Liquor, and Media. Online spending up to $14.7 billion in the past year.

Online Retail Sales Index monthly update – December 2013
Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – April 2013

Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – April 2013

30 May 2013

For the year to April 2013, Australians spent $13.5 billion online - a level that is equivalent to around 6.0% of traditional retail spending. Online retail sales have continued to grow at a vastly stronger rate than the traditional bricks & mortar retail sector.

Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – April 2013
Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2012

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2012

28 November 2012

Australia’s online retail sales are continuing to climb, up to A$12.3 billion in the year ended October 2012, but for now the share of total spending is still modest, at around 5.6%. The rate of growth in online sales has strengthened considerably over the last six months.

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – October 2012
Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2012

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2012

30 July 2012

The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. With traditional sales totalling […]

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report – July 2012
Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report January 2010 – January 2012

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report January 2010 – January 2012

31 January 2012

The NAB Online Retail Sales Index provides key insights into online spending in the retail goods space, capturing domestic and international trends, as well as regional and age demographic trends. It’s a unique tool based on up to 2 million non-cash transactions per day, scaled up to replicate the broader economy. In a fast-changing environment, […]

Online Retail Sales Index: In depth report January 2010 – January 2012