Aussies defy cost pressures with record $83B spend

Australian consumers have shrugged off global volatility and rising domestic costs, pouring a record $83 billion into online retail throughout 2025.

Despite fuel shortages and persistent cost-of-living pressures, the latest Australia Post eCommerce Industry Report reveals a significant spike in digital spending, with experts predicting the upward trajectory will maintain its momentum into 2026.

Australia Post Executive General Manager Gary Starr noted that while geopolitical "speed bumps" create brief windows of uncertainty, they ultimately drive shoppers toward the perceived value of digital channels.

"The market seems remarkably resilient," Starr said. "Australians continue to spend online at a growing rate relative to in-store, seeking out deals to weather the financial storm."

The report highlights a growing "promiscuity" in shopping habits, with households engaging with an average of 16 different brands annually.

While total spend is up, individual basket sizes have hit a five-year low, signaling a highly discerning public.

Australians are increasingly bypassing traditional retail for marketplace apps and waiting for major sales events to pull the trigger on purchases.

Millennials remain the engine of this digital economy, contributing $29.7 billion to the total.

Starr warned that retailers must "remove the friction" from their digital storefronts.

With checkout abandonment rates hovering near 70% for high spenders, the message for 2026 is clear: simplicity and proven value are the only ways to secure the Australian dollar.