Online sales in Australia are nothing new, but figures released by Myer indicate that even the big brand stores are starting to get real traction. Could this the dawning of ubiquitous online aussie retail?
The Australian reports on Myer’s financial results; for those who like pure numbers they managed $3.159 billion of sales, down five percent, apparently. Of more online interest, its online business, responsible for a comparatively small five million dollars worth of sales, is apparently growing at a rate of knots; the Australian quotes an ABC Insiders program where Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes (in reference to the online operation) stated that
It’s happened very quickly and we’re tripling the sales just about every week”
Online retail certainly isn’t a new phenomenon; arguably without it, Ruslan Kogan would still be working at Accenture, after all. Then again, with reference to Kogan, he proudly tweeted after last week’s announcement of Kogan undertaking grey market imports that
www.kogan.com.au/ has done over $1M of sales in the last 36 hours”
So clearly Myer has some work to do. Still, it’s long annoyed me that the kinds of online retail offered overseas — most notably in Europe and the US — haven’t been replicated to quite the same level in the Australian market. If the big retailers start doing more — and promoting more — it can only be good for the online Australian marketplace, and thus good for us as consumers.[The Australian]
Image: Lachlan
James
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:12 AMNo doubt Gerry Harvey will be whining about something in the next day or so.
panderiz
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:24 AMWent to Myer in Chadstone this Saturday gone, tried on jeans and shoes, got home and ordered online. Thanks Myer, to be honest your prices weren’t terrible but deals are still deals.
Eckythump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:30 AMWell done for having the patience to hold onto your cash! Frankly I was wondering if buying on apparrel online was a good idea because of the fitting issues! Your method gets around that nicely! #]
simon
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:30 AMpathetic
id pay for the convenience of having them there and then, im not a tight ass penny pincher like yourself
i like a good deal, but if its a difference of 5-20 dollars, get over it, support the local economy – you may think you are paying a multi-national corporation, but sales quotas must be met locally to keep your local cashier and stock fillers employed
Eckythump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:53 AMThis comment has been deemed inappropriate and has been deleted
P Dant
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:13 AM*necessary
EckyThump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:52 AMSorry I didn’t realise this was Grammar school! Just read the comment for what it is please!
Hamish McLachlan
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:59 PM*spelling
blueevo
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 2:35 PMhi gerry harvey
hows business going
Steve
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:44 PMOh hai Gerry
Eckythump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:27 AMThe main problem that I can see, is that most retailers are used to charging 100% or more markup! Only when they realise that they are losing sales because people are getting a fairer price online will they wake up!
Dave
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:33 AMWhen you look at the US or UK online market, you look at the prices back here and just die of shock. ive been to the UK twice this year and everytime just find more and more things id rather buy over there. At xmas it will be Sony Vaio Z, Tiffany Wedding bands and Tiger shoes… i would happily spend that over here but why would you when you can buy the Vaio for ~2k less, the rings for ~1800 less and the shoes for 100 less.
*end rant*
Eckythump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:55 AMThat’s fine if you are going there, but purchasing on line from overseas, useually costs a high premium in postage! #]
Matt
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:32 PMWhen the difference in price is measured in thousands of dollars, I don’t think the shipping is going to matter too much.
Drew
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:51 AMI buy most of my clothes in stores (in America), I go there for three weeks each year so might as well take advantage.
Tommy Hilfiger jumper $30 there and $140 at Myers, you gotta be having a laugh.
Jack
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 1:28 PMWas browsing around at David Jones store in city (Sydney), found nice rockport shoe, tried it on and loved it, cost $249. Didn’t buy it though, went home and order it from endless.com, cost us$104, free shipping for purchase over us$100. After conversion $99, packaged arrive in 4 days. C’mon $150 difference…..
EckyThump
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:28 PMDef going to use this method for clothes and shoes from now on! #]
Mr Mack
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:43 PMAgreed, a deal is a deal. However I don’t feel it is right going into a store, trying on their stock in their changerooms and buying online. They pay a lot in rent, utilities, wages, maintenance to make the store welcoming for people. (Yes you could also argue that those costs would have been spent regardless of if you were there or not). But the biggest sticking point is you guys admit to needing to try it on before buying, making a B+M store essential to the online purchase!
p.s I happily grey import electronics though
Steve
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:49 PMI’d happily pay a small premium for local store just for convenience. But we’re not talking about 20 or even 30% here, we’re talking double, easy. Back in the 90s when I went to the US, I’d buy my clothes there and bring it back in a big box. The exact same $100 shirts here were $20 USD there. Back, then, even with the $1AUD: 50 US cents, it would be around double, but now? more like quadruple.
The Aussie consumer is just now becoming savvy enough to order online. I just hope it continues, and there’s no point whining about it now. They’ve been bleeding us dry for decades.
MrTaco
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 3:51 PMFunny, I just got a package from Myer online today. One thing I ordered was missing, and another came without its packaging.
Less than pleased.
Trav
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 4:16 PMDo the math, if you can hold off and do the bulk of your shopping at once and like expensive things then the savings can easily pay for your flight as part of a cheap US shopping holiday.
Adamshiz
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 4:30 PMI am all for supporting local business even with a small premium on price… But fecked if I am going to line there pockets with gold.
edz
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 4:35 PMYes they pay a lot of rent/utilities etc however, they are just not being competitive enough with the online stores. I really want to support australian stores, but I just cant as the economy here is so inflated, there is no way I can afford supporting australian stores.
Simon – maybe you have a really well paid job, but the majority of us aren’t well paid and a $20.00 difference could mean a lot! Plus, the savings are usually over $20.00 when you buy online.
Mr Mack
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:12 PMAlso remember all of that GST which retail stores have to add on before piling on the other business costs. I agree with Adamshiz where some retail stores do take the piss, not cool!
Mr Mack
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 7:19 PMOh, and Aussie retailers usually don’t have a large enough purchasing power compared to their US and European counterparts.