This is what Waverley Woollen Mills Factory Outlet Store owner Penny Rundle has found five years since they opened their online store.

Online shopping has been blamed in the past for the decline of shop front businesses, but is now regarded as just another way to shop.

In recent times, Launceston stores Miss J Audrey and Sebachi have announced their intentions to trade only online.

Ms Rundle said about 50 per cent of their sales now come from online business but they would never close the George Street shop front.

‘‘We have seen it grow to the point where the online store is consistent,’’ she said.

‘‘We have periods of time in our physical store where it might look quiet if you were looking in from outside but we’ve actually had a lot of sales online.’’

She said some customers will use their online store as a catalogue, particularly if making large purchases and then come into the store.

While others are time poor and do it all online.

Many of their customers are based in Sydney, find their store online or have heard of it, and are seeking out that special, Australian/Tasmanian made, quality product.

Ms Rundle said they used Facebook as a tool to highlight one-off, limited items or show their colour range, which was quite successful and did limited online marketing otherwise.

‘‘Waverley Woollen Mills is an iconic business in Launceston and we owe it to the community, who have supported us over many years, to always retain that store front,’’ Ms Rundle said.

Cityprom executive officer Vanessa Cahoon said a lot of Launceston businesses also had an online presence or were moving to one.

‘‘While shopping online has its place, some of the key differences is being able to browse and touch and customer service,’’ Ms Cahoon said.

She said there would always be a need for stores