Media Release
December 17, 2009
Getprice Shopping Report launches
85% of internet users shopping online this Christmas
Aussies are hitting the web as well as the shops this Christmas with research released
today showing 85% of internet users are now shopping online.
The study conducted by leading shopping comparison website Getprice.com.au in
partnership with research company Core Data examined the current buying behavior of
more than 1,000 Australian consumers and the expected spend throughout the
Christmas period.
Launched today, the inaugural Getprice Shopping Report revealed many Australians
are set to see a range of books, DVDs, technology, sports and travel products when
they open their presents this Christmas with the items being the most popular goods
shopped for online at the moment.
The report also revealed TVs, mobile phones and laptop sales are set to boom further
with respondents saying they are the top products they plan to buy themselves over
the next three months.
While examining the current and future spend of Australian consumers, the Getprice
Shopping Report also provides insight into the driving factors behind the increased
popularity of online shopping in Australia and the key factors in the purchase decision.
These key findings include:
Australians want to be informed and desire the ability to research products
online before completing their purchase with 83% of the respondents deeming
the ability to research products online prior to going to the shop as useful
Price is the most critical factor in the purchase decisions for shoppers both
offline and online with 93% saying it was important and influential in their
purchase decision
Shoppers also highly influenced by warranties, speed of delivery, after sales
service as well as payment options for their online purchases, while offline
purchases were also heavily influenced by store location
The ability to do price comparisons online was sighted as the most valuable
factor for 78% of online shoppers
While 75% of respondents said convenience was an important reason for
making an online purchase, one third said their decision to complete an online
purchase was driven by their preference to avoid crowds
51% of respondents said they had spent more than $200 over the past 12
months. More than 50% of these online shoppers complete a purchase at least
once a month
The majority of respondents use Getprice for general research (70%) and final
price comparison before making a purchase (67%)
Three out of five respondents (61%) spend at least 10 hours online per week.
Around one in five (19%) log online for 30 hours or more weekly
Reading a news story is the top activity done online in the past 30 days. Other
popular activities are online banking, researching a product and comparing
prices. Shopping online was ahead of participating in a social networking
application, buying a flight or accommodation online and reading a blog.
The Getprice Shopping Report shows Australian consumers are more determined
than ever to see their dollar go further this Christmas, said Getprice Chief Executive
Chris Hitchen.
They are savvy, researching and comparing products online before parting with their
hard earned cash and completing a purchase online or stepping into a store.
Items like DVDs, books, technology, sport and travel products are extremely popular
this Christmas and we can expect to see the boom in TVs, laptops and mobile phones
continue into the New Year as consumers plan to buy themselves a gift in the next
three months.
According to Nielsen Netratings there are now 14.1 million Australians online. The
Getprice shopping report shows an estimated 11.98 million Australians are now
actively shopping online. 51% of these shoppers spent more than $200 over the past
three months alone presenting a huge market and growth opportunity for Australian
retailers.
Connecting consumers to the best deals and up-to-date product information from
more than 750 retailers including Clive Peteers, Office Works, the ABC Shop, Teds
Camera House and Perfume Empire, Getprices user base has increased by over
230% of the past 12 months.
This substantial growth in Getprices user base along with the sentiment expressed in
the report by Aussie consumers is strong evidence that they want to be armed with as
much information as possible when making their purchase decision.
They crave the ability to view a variety of products from home via their computer or on
the go using for example the Getprice iPhone app.
Shopping websites like Getprice.com.au deliver consumers with the desired choice
and transparency. By giving them the ability to make informed decisions Getprice
empowers them with everything they need to know, such as buying guides, reviews
and user opinions on more than 1.5 million products across Australia. Mr Hitchen said.
Launched today, the Getprice Shopping Report will follow the buying habits and trends
of Australian consumers on a quarterly basis providing a valuable insight into the online
shopping industry.
-ends-
A full copy of the report is available upon request
Getprice Marketing Manager Justus Hammer and Core Data Managing Director,
Andrew Inwood are available for interviews
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kate McQuestin, Getprice, W: 02 8114 7552, M: 0419 591 150
E: kate.mcquestin@newsdigitalmedia.com.au