Online sales across Australian businesses rose by $73.5 million (or 1.9%) in February 2023, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This follows a rise of 0.3% ($12.1 million) in the month prior, with seasonally adjusted through-the-year sales up by 6.9%, or $254.3 million.
Total online retailing sales were $3.9 billion in February. However, original sales in the same month fell by 8.3% (-$294.7m) against the month prior.
Of the total online sales for the month, non-food retail saw a $65.4 million rise (2.3%) to $2.8 billion, with food sales coming in behind at 0.8% growth, or $8.2 million, to $1 billion.
In original terms, the proportion for online non-food retailing sales to total non-food retailing rose from 16.7% to 16.9% according to the ABS. In comparison, the proportion of online food retailing sales to total food retailing rose from 5.2% to 5.4%.
Moreover, the proportion of online sales to total retailing rose by 0.1% from the prior month to 10.4% in February 2023. The 10.4% figure is also 4.6% higher compared to February 2019.
The proportion of online sales have averaged at 10.7% over the past year, suggesting that online sales elevated during the pandemic have now settled at a new level.
In a recent update reported by Ragtrader, ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said retail sales rose modestly in February and appear to have levelled out after a period of increased volatility over November, December and January.
“On average, retail spending has been flat through the end of 2022 and to begin the new year,” Dorber said.
“Spending in food related industries continued to grow steadily in February, with cafes restaurants and takeaway food services up 0.5%, while food retailing rose 0.2%.
“Non-food industry results were mixed as consumers continue to pull back on discretionary spending in response to high cost of living pressures.”