Ignorance of #online holding back Aussie #retailers

Evidence is now emerging on a daily basis urging retailers to operate an internet component to their business, to stem the losses from international online competition.

PwC estimates that $6 billion will be spent by Australians on overseas internet purchases this year, which is 44% of total internet sales, and a big increase from 25% in 2010.

And while retailers may cry poor over the GST-free threshold on overseas transactions, PwC found that only 1% of Australians shopped internationally to avoid the tax.

Furthermore, the Productivity Commission report released on Thursday showed that some Australian businesses are reluctant to take the steps needed to setup online sales, because of a lack of understanding of how e-commerce works.

In the last week, we have reported that the worth of the internet economy in Australia will soon surpass the retail sector.

We also reported that the percentage of Australian companies with an online businesses has risen sharply in the last nine months, clearly showing a boost in interest for e-commerce.

But with companies in Australia lacking the knowledge and tools to properly participate in e-commerce, now might be the time to up-skill.