Before the Covid-19 epidemic, the eCommerce market had reached a state of near saturation. Analysts predict that the eCommerce business could surpass the US$70 billion mark by 2025 as a result of a fresh uptick in online growth and changes in customer behavior. Opportunity, however, gives way to change: due to Australia’s remote geography and concentration of major local and international competitors, the eCommerce industry there may favor domestic merchants.
Given this circumstance, multinational corporations must respect and accommodate Australia’s unique payment and purchasing habits while securing their own part of the market there. In light of this, let’s explore the obstacles that firms may encounter while trying to sell online in Australia and how to get over them.
An Overview of the Australian eCommerce Market
Australia was already enjoying a booming eCommerce industry towards the end of 2019 and many months before Covid struck, producing just over US$24 billion in sales. Then, as the pandemic swept the globe, Australia witnessed a significant change in consumer spending toward internet shops. The country’s revenue nearly doubled as a result of the extraordinary rise in internet sales, which also saw growth in almost every conceivable area.
It’s easy to argue that Covid played a role in Australia’s rise in internet purchasing, but this trend was already pronounced before the pandemic’s onset. Due to years of investments in mobile and rapid development, Australia had approximately 90% of its population using the internet by the year 2020. Because of their fixed/mobile high-speed internet connections, Australians were already accustomed to using mobile payment methods while the Covid outbreak was in full swing.
Australia’s high smartphone penetration rate is another crucial factor in the growth of its eCommerce sector. Due to the preference of Australians for their cell phones when it comes to acquiring devices, the nation is among the most mobile-forward globally. This choice has contributed significantly to the prominence of smartphones as key eCommerce market players in Australia. Analysts continue to believe that despite a little decline in user adoption during the epidemic, mobile commerce will continue to outperform competing strategies for the foreseeable future.
Businesses’ omnichannel and mobile strategies are more important as a result of consumer demand for mobile commerce. Therefore, at the very least, mCommerce-focused approaches should be incorporated into the business plans and strategies of international retailers who want a piece of the Australian market. These retailers should concentrate on improving the flow and experiences of their mobile device-based carts, payments, and storefronts.
Conclusion
Australia is home to many young, wealthy consumers who shop across categories, but it is still difficult for international retailers to compete with local suppliers. Not persuading local consumers to start using their eCommerce dollars abroad is their challenge. Instead, international retailers must understand Australia’s distinct preferences for products and payment methods. They must also compete with both big international vendors and domestic vendors for market share.
The Checkout all-in-one monetization platform provides all the tools required to localise the shopping experience to the enjoyment of your local audience if you need assistance getting started selling online in Australia. Learn about our expertise in all of the major regional markets for digital commerce, and start optimising the shopping experiences for your visitors from all around the world.
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