NATIONAL: Local retailers still appear to be failing to meet the demand for online shopping, with revelations US e-tailers are reeling in Australian sales.
US-based publication 'Internet Retailing' has revealed 36.8 per cent of surveyed US web retailers said Australia ranks in their top three markets for international sales.
Some of these e-tailers revealed Australian sales were achieved despite the fact they do not offer functions to cater to international shoppers.
The Internet Retailing data is supported by research from the Australian Payments Clearing Association, which found that 43 per cent of Australia's online spend went to international e-tailers in 2008. In 2005, this figure was only 14 per cent.
Bing Lee head of e-commerce Peter Krideras said Australian retailers' delay in embracing online selling had made it easy for overseas businesses to tap the local market.
“The quicker Australian organisations embrace the power of the web, the quicker we can capture this growing market... before we lose more money overseas,” Krideras said.
Market research firm IBISWorld revealed Australian online sales currently represent only 5.5 per cent of the country's total retail sales.
Australian fashion businesses that have recently gone online or are looking to launch an e-tailing facility this year include Country Road, General Pants, surfwear retailer City Beach, Tasmanian womenswear chain Yeltour and kaftan designer Colin Heaney.