Plenty of people had their Christmas presents – or presents to give to others – delivered via package this year as more and more businesses offer online shopping in addition to their bricks and mortar stores.
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An Australia Post report this week showed the service delivered more than 40 million parcels during December – an increase of nearly 12 per cent on December 2017 and the biggest ever month for parcel volumes for the organisation.
At a local level, a spokesperson told the Mail-Times parcel volumes for the Wimmera area increased by 10 per cent during Christmas.
But for many Wimmera retailers, joining the online retail world is easier said than done.
Exquisit Horsham’s Diane Bell said while the clothing store hadn’t decided against setting up an online presence, it was a big commitment.
“You need to have the inventory system in-store and the one online communicating, so that you don’t have someone purchase something online that’s not available,” she said. “It’s a big financial investment to put a whole new system in.
“The second consideration is carrying the extra stock to do so. You need a lot more than what you would have in a small store.
“People think it’s a really simple discussion for small businesses – but most in our town operate on a staff of maybe two or three, and so for them to do it, it becomes a whole different ball game as far as employees as well.
“You need people to pack and dispatch, for example, so an online store is almost an extra business if you’re looking at it from a small business perspective.”
Business Horsham Executive Administrator Sarah Kelm said she had heard Business Horsham members say not having an online component did affect their trade.
“The business community is well aware of the online market and the increase in transactions there,” Ms Kelm said.
“But those who are considering entering the market... need to weigh up whether (they) have the capacity, the knowledge, time, resources and skills to do it.”
One Wimmera business that does have an online presence is Rupanyup Living.
Owner Claire Morgan said there had been a increase in online sales during the Christmas and New Year period – and most buyers were from other parts of Australia
“We made regular visits with packages to Rupanyup Post Office,” Mrs Morgan said. “But locals are more often coming into our shop than buying online, which is only 10 per cent of our business and taking a lot longer to take off than I was hoping.
“Even if we were to double the number of online sales, it still wouldn’t be a fantastic amount.”
Mrs Morgan suggested Wimmera businesses find someone who knew the region to develop a web presence for them.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
