New data reveals retail stores are attracting foot traffic – so why the retail gloom?

New data from CouriersPlease shows that nearly 1 in 3 Aussies went into a department store, specialist store, or fashion store in the last week, and more than half went into a store in the previous fortnight. The data comes from a survey of a nationally representative panel of 1021 Australians[1] – commissioned by leading parcel delivery service CouriersPlease (CP) in May – asking respondents when they last visited a department store, specialist store (such as a technology shop) or fashion store.

From the results, CP found that 31 per cent of respondents last stepped into a store in the previous week, a further 23 per cent visited two weeks prior, and a further 23 per cent went into a store in the two-four weeks prior. This indicates three-quarters of Aussies (77 per cent) stepped into a retail store in the last month.

When comparing the States, CP found that more WA shoppers visited retailers in the previous week (42 per cent) than those in any other State. In NSW, for instance, just 28 per cent of residents and 30 per cent of Victorians walked into a store in the previous week.

CP spokesperson Jessica Ip says: “It is encouraging to see that online shopping hasn’t caused a mass exodus of shoppers from stores. While retail spending has gone down, our survey indicates that shopper foot traffic has been maintained. The key for retailers is to convert that traffic into purchases.

“While retailers are increasingly having a strong focus on eCommerce, many are now not only investing in the online channel, but they are also strengthening the omnichannel experience shoppers get both in-store and online to provide a single unified feel for the brand. They’re aiming to provide consistency across all areas – from the shopping experience to delivery to returns – and by doing so, retailers are likely to leave a positive impression on shoppers, regardless of the way they choose to purchase.”

The proportion of Aussies who have last stepped into a department store, specialist store, or a fashion store, by State

Capture-6

[1] Respondents shopped online at least once in the previous three months

About CouriersPlease

CouriersPlease (CP) is a leading courier and freight service that delivered nearly 18 million parcels in 2018 alone. CP offers a network of POPStation (Pick/Post your Own Parcel) parcel lockers comprising more than 3500 lockers in 45 locations and more than 1000 POPShop retail outlets to enable consumers and businesses to pick up or post their parcels more securely and out of hours. Owned by Singapore Post (SingPost), a leader in eCommerce logistics in the Asia Pacific and USA, CP’s international and domestic air services connect customers to over 220 countries. Visit couriersplease.com.au.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

FURTHER READING

Managing the risk of sedentary work

Sedentary work poses a potential hazard that many retailers might not have fully recognised. This encompasses scenarios like head office staff spending prolonged periods sitting or reclining, which are common

Supporting your team after traumatic events

The recent tragic events in Westfield Bondi Junction have shaken the retail industry, not just in Sydney but around the country. Obviously, the people from our sector most impacted were

Retail Voice CEO Message: 17 April 2024

The country is still reeling from the tragic and horrific events at Bondi Junction on the weekend. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all of those affected by these events

Retail Voice CEO Message: 10 April 2024

Less than a month out from the Federal Budget, the government has continued its intense reform agenda with Treasurer Jim Chalmers today announcing an overhaul of Australia’s merger laws. We