Ecommerce drives Australian economic recovery

Sydney Australia, 21 April 2021 — Ecommerce continued to boom in March with 42% YoY growth according to new data from eStore Logistics, Australia’s largest ecommerce-focused fulfilment provider.

The YoY growth represents renewed financial stability and consumer confidence as we pass one year since lockdown, continue to ease COVID restrictions and end the JobKeeper scheme. In March ecommerce continued to boom despite it typically being one the quietest shopping periods of the year.

The fashion & apparel industry in particular saw a tremendous spike with online orders growing by 137% YoY as seasons rapidly shifted and Aussies were quick to update their wardrobes. The home & renovation sector also continued to boom, increasing by 75% YoY. Within NSW, rainfall for March was 154% above the long-term average — encouraging consumers to stay inside and feed their online shopping habits.

State-by-state performance

Every state experienced YoY growth in online sales during March, with Victorians once again leading the way:

• Shoppers in VIC made 58 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in TAS made 43 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in QLD made 38 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in WA made 38 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in SA made 34 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in NSW made 34 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in NT made 30 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

• Shoppers in ACT made 20 percent more online purchases than in March 2020

Leigh Williams, Founder & Managing Director of eStore Logistics believes that while March figures have slightly plateaued when directly compared to the past few months, they reveal a more permanent trend in ecommerce growth.

“March is typically one of the quietest months for ecommerce so this growth solidifies the fact that online shopping is a permanent trend and here to stay.”

“With JobKeeper ending in March we were anticipating consumer confidence to drop and ecommerce sales to follow as Aussies started to think about their savings. However, we saw quite the opposite. Consumer confidence is higher than it has been in 18 months according to the latest NAB report and eStore data reiterates this. Last year was a very unique year in the ecommerce industry and we’re looking forward to seeing further growth in April and May which will reflect year long trends following peak lockdown periods.”