The fashion industry has achieved double-digit growth in online sales for the sixth consecutive year growing 27.2% in year-on-year sales according to a report released by Australia Post.
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Fashion now accounts for 35.6% of all online orders representing an estimated $7.6 billion in total sales for the industry.
The report found that women's fashion was the driving force in the category recording a 43.8% growth for the year while men's fashion also grew by 26%.
For the first time, November was the biggest month of the year for fashion purchases, overtaking December sales numbers after recording a 30.2% year-on-year growth.
The report argued that this growth was driven by four sales events in the month: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Click Frenzy and Singles day with 16% of online shoppers participating in the 2017 Black Friday event.
According to Australia Post, the trend has been driven by improved return options and the improvement of buy now, pay later (BNPL) services.
“Fashion is changing the traditional retail landscape, with one in three items bought online now a fashion item.
“The trend is strong, with 2017 being the sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth. Well defined return options are giving fashion shoppers more confidence when shopping online.
“BNPL services are also helping fuel the growth, with 57% of BNPL purchases fashion-related. BNPL payment services now make up 7.7% of total online spend on physical goods.
“Expect to see this type of payment become even bigger in the coming year as the trend takes hold more broadly.”