Online shopping spikes in lockdown - home goods top items

woman sitting on her bed holding credit card looking at her laptop online shopping during covid lockdown

Citibank released data in July that showed, unlike in 2020, Australian consumers were not shaken by the June 2021 lockdowns. Although they could not hit the high street, online shopping with credit and debit cards saw an increase under COVID restrictions.

"Last year, lockdown anxieties triggered a drop in consumer spending. However, the data for June indicates consumers are no longer spooked by lockdowns, with heightened government restrictions appearing to bear no impact on volumes of monthly spend," said Choong Yu Lum, head of cards and loans at Citi Australia.

The Australia Post Inside Australian Online Shopping eCommerce update report released in mid-July 2021 further supports Citi’s findings.

AusPost revealed that in June 2021, as restrictions and lockdowns returned, Australians pulled out their plastic and hit up their favourite online retailers. June online consumer growth was up 4.7% compared to 2020 and 11% higher than May 2021.

The lockdown in Sydney and then larger NSW caused a spike in online purchases. During the three weeks, from June 27 to 17 July, 2021, online shopping in NSW grew 36% compared to the same period in 2020.

It wasn’t just NSW. Across the country, more Australians were using their credit and debit cards to shop online. Nationally, the period saw growth of 10.5% compared to last year.

So, what are Aussies filling their digital shopping carts with? In the week commencing 27 June 2021, there was growth in many product categories:

  • The period saw 37% growth in home and garden shopping.
  • Australians purchased 32% more food and beverages online in those three weeks than in the same period in 2020.
  • There was a 31% increase in baby products year on year.
  • The period also saw a 31% increase in hobbies and recreational goods online shopping.

If you’ve been spending lockdown shopping for great online deals, why not be sure you’re getting the best deal on your credit card? A great place to start is Mozo’s credit card hub for guides and credit card comparisons.

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