Online sales rose 2.4 per cent in June 2015

•  At 2.4% the latest seasonally adjusted nab online retail sales index shows sales growth rebounded in June, a significant improvement on the revised 0.1% growth recorded in May. At 0.4%, the trend estimate for online retail sales was lower compared to the previous month (0.8%). We estimate that online sales are now 10% higher compared to a year ago.

•  ABS data showed growth of comparable traditional retailers (ex. Cafes and Restaurants) in May to be 0.3% (mom, s.a.) higher than April, and 4% higher than a year ago.

• In dollar terms, we estimate Australians spent $17.3 billion on online retail in the 12 months to June 2015. This level is equivalent to 7.1% 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 May 2015.

• In year on year terms, all categories except daily deals (-23.1% yoy) recorded growth in June, while personal and recreational goods (+0.5 yoy) was virtually flat. Growth accelerated in homewares and appliances (+25.9% yoy), electronic games and toys(+24.5% yoy), and to a lesser extent department and variety stores(+6.1%). Though slowing from the previous month, media (+16% yoy) and fashion (10.6%) have maintained double digit growth. Grocery and liquor (+2.5% yoy) continued to grow, albeit at a more moderate rate than last month.

For further analysis download the full report.

• NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Monthly update – June 2015 (PDF 63.9KB)