In response to the changing consumer behaviour, Google has released an interactive tool that documents the trending retail categories amidst the coronavirus pandemic. At Workit Spaces, we’ve also seen a significant amount of change in the retail space, particularly in the eCommerce market.
Read our new article on eCommerce trends for Australia in 2021 →
Today’s article will go through the top trending retail categories in Australia from the past year and share a few ideas on how you might be able to take advantage of these trends. We’ll also share some general eCommerce trends that you need to be ahead of. At the end of the article, you can watch how retail eCommerce businesses in our space have coped.
Top trending categories in Australia in the past year
- Hand Sanitizers & Wipes +900%
- Digital Artwork +900%
- Paper Napkins +800%
- Flavored Alcoholic Beverages +800%
- Model Making +600%
- Cars, Trucks & Vans +600%
- Motorcycles & Scooters +500%
- Travel Trailers +500%
- Plant Stands +400%
- Webcams +400%
- Prepared Appetizers & Side Dishes +400%
- Electronic Card Readers +400%
- Vehicle Service Manuals +300%
- Solvents, Strippers & Thinners +300%
- Dutch Ovens +300%
- Roller Skates +200%
- Free Weights +200%
- Deep Fryers +200%
- Office Chairs +200%
- Kitchen Cabinets +200%
How to be an early adopter of these trends
Now, how can you actually use this knowledge? If you have an apparel store, adding paper napkins to your inventory probably doesn’t make sense. However, you might be able to introduce roller skates. Similarly, if you have a lifestyle or gifts store, plant stands could be a valuable addition.
The dramatic increase in free weights could be a sign that people are getting more interested in alternatives to the gym. The interest in dutch ovens could mean people are looking into cooking. Could you potentially offer a product or service that would make this easier for people? Consider what new gaps are appearing in the market as a result of the coronavirus.
What Workit Spaces eCommerce businesses have been part of these trends?
In the Workit Spaces eCommerce Hub, we’ve had a number of businesses that have continued to operate despite the lockdown restrictions, so long as they stuck to social distancing rules. With less people going into physical stores, many consumers looked to online shopping instead. Even with restrictions easing, eCommerce demand is booming.
For example, with people looking to drink at home, iKegger has had massive growth with their home brewing kits in the past few months. Blackbird Motorcycle Wear, a motorcycle apparel and gear business, have managed to continue hiring during this time. Furthermore, Mearth, an electric scooter business, has sustained interest in their products.
What eCommerce trends are we seeing for 2020?
Even before the pandemic hit, online retail was set to change the way people shop this year. There are many trends that have been driving eCommerce so far and will likely continue to do so into the future. Competition is ramping up and it’s crucial that you stay ahead of the curve in terms of the latest consumer expectations.
Here are four eCommerce trends that you need to be aware of if you run a small to medium sized retail eCommerce business.
Mobile online shopping is only getting more important
Smartphones are old news at this point but their importance is still growing. According to Statista, 73% of eCommerce sales will be on mobile by the end of 2021. Not only does your store need to be optimised for online shopping, it needs to be optimised for online shopping on mobile.
You can no longer ignore sustainability
Fortunately, the demand for sustainable products has really made its mark this year. Consumers are making it clear that they value environmentally-friendly businesses over others. By decreasing your carbon footprint, you’ll be future-proofing your business, appealing to informed customers, and of course, making an impact.
Your retail eCommerce business can look into options such as biodegradable packaging, recyclable packaging, reusable packaging, longer lasting products, organic materials, local suppliers, and shipping efficiency. Look at your business as a whole and determine how you can make eco-friendly one of your core values.
ECommerce consumers expect a range of payment options
People look to online shopping because it’s quick and easy. Paying should be the same. Your site should be able to save billing and shipping information so that customers don’t have to spend time entering all their details. Having PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Afterpay, Zip Pay and other payment options will help make for a seamless shopping experience.
Digital marketing for businesses is constantly evolving
If you’re in the eCommerce market and you’re not taking advantage of digital marketing, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity for growth and exposure. Digital marketing has become a broad term that includes a range of different subtypes. For example, social media marketing, search engine marketing, email marketing, content marketing and influencer marketing.
When building a digital marketing strategy, consider which tactics are right for your business. Remember that you need to build a relationship with your customers. This involves how you go about generating leads as well as converting leads once they land on your website. Have a clear idea of what your marketing funnel looks like top to bottom.
How have our retail eCommerce businesses coped?
In the past few months, small businesses in our eCommerce spaces have dealt with a considerable amount of change. We thought that it was important to give them a voice. To do this, we created the COVID Reality video series. You can watch the first episode below and then visit the Workit Spaces YouTube channel to see the rest.
