Online fashion spending in Australia has lifted by 13 per cent in the first quarter of FY26 compared to the same time last year, according to a new quarterly report released by Australia Post.
The eCommerce Report shows that fashion spending hit $2.7 billion in the July to September quarter, valued as the third-largest online category. This is behind food and liquor at $4.2 billion, with online marketplaces leading the charge at $4.6 billion.
Both food and liquor, and online marketplaces, also saw a rise in online spending, at 14 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, department stores have reported a higher percentage lift in online sales at 18 per cent, with total spending for the last quarter hitting $1 billion. Department stores are the third-lowest category in terms of monetary contribution, just ahead of health and beauty (also $1 billion) and books, stationery and multimedia ($0.6 billion).
In overall terms, total online spending across all categories lifted by 15 per cent year-on-year in the last quarter, topping $20.7 billion. According to Australia Post, this is fuelled by more frequent purchases and major sales events.
In quarter-on-quarter terms, total online spending was up 6.2 per cent.
The average basket size remained flat at $95 as 8.1 million households shopped online (2.7 per cent increase YoY). The report noted this signals an online spending boom, which is expected to intensify across the Black Friday and Christmas periods.
Value-driven shopping continues to motivate customers, with three in four shoppers saying they are holding out for major sales events. Half of all shoppers have their sights set on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, setting the stage for a strong second quarter.
Across the country, New South Wales residents shopped the most online, followed by Victoria and Queensland.
Nationally, the postcodes that topped the list for online shopping were Hoppers Crossing, VIC, Toowoomba, QLD, Mackay, QLD, Point Cook, VIC, and Bundaberg, QLD.
Australia Post general manager of enterprise and government, Chelsea O’Reilly, said the postal company is preparing for its biggest delivery period yet.