Looking back on a year that has been predominantly defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen that businesses and communities around the world have had to adapt to a new normal. Social distancing and hand sanitizing now come as second-nature for many, but this new normal also consists of socio-economic changes that will most likely set bounds throughout upcoming decade.
Today we have access to an abundance of information and a wide range of different products at just the click of a button. If we look at online shopping specifically, reports show that global E-Commerce sales are expected to reach $5.7 Trillion USD by the end of the year.
Quarantine measures over the last eight months have enforced that we stay home if and when possible, meaning that most have us have probably been glued to our computer, phone, and TV screens a lot more than in previous years. Online shopping for yourself and others has never been so quick and easy, in fact, household online shopping in Australia has increased by 31 percent in 2020, with online spending growing by 95 percent between April 2019 and April 2020.
If we look at the Australian e-commerce industry as a whole, reports have shown that it has grown by 80 percent since last year, with 89 percent of e-commerce purchases being domestic. This means that more and more of the Australian population is looking to purchase their goods from within the country, as this is the least expensive option. This makes for an excellent opportunity for local Australian businesses to sell their items online, now that consumer buying power is fundamentally shifting from international retailers to domestic.
The same can be send for New Zealand, as 50 percent of the entire population now shop online. E-commerce sales have increased by 189 percent year on year as of April 2020, all the more reason for local New Zealand businesses to sell and market their goods to an online audience.
What was once a weekend trip to the market is now an 24/7 online hub of millions of stores that are available at the tip of your fingers and from the comfort of your own home. It is encouraged that you market your local brand to where your customers are, if the majority of them like to buy online, then it is a good idea to start an online presence and a conversation about the products you sell. Whether it be beautiful art pieces or scented candles, there is an online buyer community for any range of locally-made products, and they can't wait to hear your story!