The nature of online sales means that shoppers must wait for their goods to be delivered. This is the primary reason that analysts believe that online shopping slowed in December versus November. Most people buying Christmas presents would of ordered online early so that it would arrive in time for Christmas.

Although their was a drop in online sales from November to December, it still was a good result compared to bricks and mortar retail sales. The growth in November of online sales was twenty seven percent. This dropped to twenty three percent in December.

In terms of dollars, Australians splashed out almost $13 billion during 2012. This equated to approximately 5.8 percent of overall retail sales meaning there is a long way to go before online sales makes a real dent on retail figures.

The writing is on the wall however, that bricks and mortar stores need to do more to win back shoppers from online retailers. Stores like Clearly Contacts have been able to win over consumers by offering not only sales, but incentives like a Clearly Contacts coupon which encourages people to purchase online.