A new report from PayPal predicts 2011 will be the biggest year for online shopping in history, with sales tipped to reach $30 billion by the end of the year.
Despite the strong dollar, the online payment company says Australians still prefer to shop locally, with more than 70 per cent of online spending taking place in Australia.
Online shopping is growing at a almost 12 per cent year on year and 63 per cent of Australians have shopped at an overseas website in the last year, the report says.
Last month Google Australia released figures showing over 30 per cent of “Christmas” searches this year include foods and beverages in their search and online shopping will show a sharp increase in the lead up to the festive season.
“Over the next five weeks shopping-related search traffic is really going to accelerate,” Google Australia & New Zealand’s Head of Retail, Ross McDonald said.
Four million Australian online shoppers use PayPal when shopping online and over 40,000 Australian
retailers now offer PayPal and the busiest day for online shopping is a Monday between 8-9pm.
Fashion is the fastest growing online category with a 20 per cent year on year increase.
PayPal has also released a list of safeguards for shopping online, including how to protect your personal information and checking return policies.
They can be found on the PayPal website.