Research by Australia Post has found that chocolate lovers will spend an average of A$72 (US$54) on online confectionery this Easter.
The research involved a survey of 2,000 Australia Post customers, with 41% of respondents saying they would buy an item online this Easter with the main reason being to avoid crowds, 39% citing convenience, and 38% claiming to find better prices online.
The splurge comes as more Australians are online shopping than ever before, with purchases rising by 11.5% in the past year. The Australian online retail market was worth A$21.6bn in the 12 months to December 2016, according to NAB’s (National Australia Bank) Online Retail Sales Index.
Australian Post general manager for e-commerce Ben Frazni said, “Australians love a bargain and love online shopping because of price, choice and convenience those are the factors that are really driving online purchases this Easter.
“Most Australians shop online locally, with domestic purchases accounting for more than 80% of all online sales.
“We are also seeing more and more of our customers take up our range of delivery options, such as Safe-Drop, where a customer asks for a parcel to be delivered to a safe spot at their house so they can receive a delivery when they are not at home, or using one of our free 24/7 parcel lockers.”
Haigh’s Chocolates, Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate maker, has experienced steady sales growth since it opened its online store in October 2014. Fiona Krawczyk, Haigh’s spokesperson, said online sales peaked one week before Good Friday, a couple of days before the in-store sales spike, and added: “Interestingly Queensland, where we do not have a physical store, has become our third largest online market.
“Australia Post’s Express Post service helps us deliver all our Easter orders to every corner of our country, ensuring that Australians have a great Easter and their Haigh’s chocolates.”
April 10, 2017