Shopping online spiked during the coronavirus pandemic and a Tasmanian retail expert says it's here to stay.
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" ... online shopping continues to grow significantly," associate head research performance and senior lecturer in marketing at the UTAS College of Business and Economics Louise Grimmer said.
"The latest research from Australia Post's eCommerce report shows Australian shoppers spent more than $62 billion online last year, and this is a huge 73.1 per cent increase over the last two years.
"Coming from a very low base prior to COVID, online shopping now accounts for almost 20 per cent of all retail sales in 2021 and the Australian Retailers Association reports 1.4 million Australian households shopped online last year.
"Our appetite for online shopping is not dissipating."
Dr Grimmer said Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed continued strong growth in online shopping, with a spike in non-food retailing in the middle of last year.
"I expect this growth to continue as we move through 2022" she said.
"It's therefore really important that Tasmanian businesses, particularly small and independent retailers, make sure they have a store website to allow their customers to shop both in-store and online.
"Online is here to stay and it will be those small businesses that can provide consumers with convenience, the ability to shop via a physical store and online platforms, with really fantastic customer service, which will be successful.
"The businesses that recognise the changes in consumer behaviour will be those that survive and thrive."
The ABS estimated Tasmanian retail turnover increased by 1.1 per cent to $661.1 million in February in seasonally adjusted terms, leaving it 3.5 per cent ahead of February 2021.
Spending in supermarkets and grocery stores was estimated to have fallen by $2.8 million to $251.3 million, but was still the fourth highest on record.
Spending on clothing increased by $1.3 million to $25.3 million.
Cafes, restaurants and takeaways surged by $4.7 million to $78.9 million.
That was their biggest combined sales month on record.
The statewide total in February was the second highest ever, behind only November last year ($668.7 million).