Retailers prepare for biggest online shopping day next Sunday

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said online retailers were looking forward to Sunday December 8 – the day eBay and PayPal have announced as the biggest mobile shopping day ever, with more mobile purchases predicted from Australian websites on this day than ever before.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said approximately 2.3 million Australians will visit eBay on this day alone of which a record 1.28 million will come via a mobile device – 30 percent more than the busiest online shopping day in 2012 (December 9).

“Online retailers are in for a busy few weeks, with a record 140,000 items forecast to be sold and $5 million worth of goods traded via a mobile on this day – 40 percent more than in 2012.

“Shoppers will 'click into Christmas' more than ever this year, and the ARA has been working alongside retailers to ensure their websites are as user friendly as possible in the lead up to Christmas.

“eBay predicts that on December 8, a piece of women’s clothing will sell every eight seconds and a piece of fashion jewellery will sell every 20 seconds via a mobile device. An average of more than 200 items will be sold on eBay.com.au every minute –a marked increase from last year,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Nicolette Maury, Buyer Experience Director, eBay Australia, said Australians are leaders when it comes to mobile adoption.

“In 2012, Australians who shopped online via a connected device were the minority but this Christmas more Australians will visit eBay via a mobile device than their fellow desktop shoppers.

“It’s become really clear this year that Australia is a nation of multi-taskers, using connected devices to multi-screen from the couch or to search for Christmas gifts on the way in to work. And it’s not just stocking fillers or last minute gifts that shoppers are heading online for this Sunday. 1800 fitness items and 1600 pieces of furniture will be purchased via a mobile device which means that consumers don’t think twice about purchasing large ticket items online anymore,” Ms Maury said.

Jeff Clementz, MD, PayPal Australia said the mobile trend is not isolated to eBay.

PalPal are also expecting to see one in three transactions during the peak Christmas buying period to occur via mobile, up from one in five last year.

“With more Australians shopping via a connected device, PayPal expects mobile shopping purchases to increase more than 60 per cent this year compared to last year as Australians tap into the trend of buying on the go,” Mr Clementz said.

“Overall, shoppers are expected to put $42.2 billion through retail tills from 14 November until 25 December, representing a 3.5 percent gain on sales during the same period in 2012 ($40.7 billion),” Mr Zimmerman said.

On Sunday December 8, 2013 on eBay.com.au:

- 390,000 items will be to be sold on eBay.com.au on December 8 (17 percent more than the busiest online shopping day in 2012)

- $14.6 million worth of goods will be traded on this day

- An average of more than 200 items sold on eBay.com.au every minute

- A piece of women’s clothing will be sold every 4 seconds

- A DVD will be sold every 6 seconds

- A piece of fashion jewellery will be sold every 8 seconds

- A piece of men’s clothing will be sold every 12 seconds

- A home decoration will be sold every 16 seconds

- A piece of furniture will be sold 24 seconds

- A radio controlled toy will be sold every 29 seconds

- A watch will be sold every 35 seconds

- A pair of women’s shoes will be sold every 36 seconds.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $258 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041. 

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