Online shopping has become the "new normal" for most of us after the gruelling lockdowns changed the ways in which most Australians shop nationwide. We can’t speak for you, dear readers, but we think we’ve probably done more online shopping in the last 2 years than in all previous years combined.

The popularity of online shopping has prompted retailers to step up their services, including state-of-the-art website or app features, advanced delivery services, great promo offers and deals, and so much more.

With almost every retailer offering online shopping services, have you ever wondered whether any of them stand out from the rest of the pack?

In a recently released ranking report by e-commerce insights platform Power Retail, hardware retailer Bunnings Warehouse was crowned Australia's number one online retailer. (no surprises there, we're self-confessed Bunnings fans!)

Bunnings Warehouse topped the list of Australia’s best online retailers for 2022. Credit: Jacky Ghossein.​

It was said that the hardware retailer's website meets and excels in a number of criteria set for the rankings, including site traffic and accessibility.

Bunnings was found to have had huge traffic, a wide product range and a number of unique options such as "drive and collect" — all of which helped the retailer rise to the top of the rankings.

Power Retail head of data Marieke van Bruggen said: "Bunnings Warehouse has high traffic generally, but they have expanded their product offering to include dropship items, and significantly improved their UX (user experience design) with regards to things like localisation and store maps, which explains their top ranking."

"I believe page load speed, accessibility and NPS are going to be a key focus for the next iteration of the ranking, so I would recommend that retailers should focus on these areas in the year to come."

Bunnings’ website meets and excels in a number of criteria set for the rankings, including site traffic and accessibility. Credit: Bunnings Marketlink.​

Power Retail's annual e-commerce awards concluded with the announcement of the country's top 100 online retailers, with Woolworths placing second, Kmart third, JB Hi-Fi in the fourth spot, and Coles rounding out the top 5.

Below is the list of Australia's Top 10 Online Retailers for 2022:

1. Bunnings
2. Woolworths
3. Kmart
4. JB Hi-Fi
5. Coles
6. Kogan
7. Target
8. Catch
9. Chemist Warehouse
10. Myer

The group also disclosed that there seems to be a common trend among the top 10 retailers, pointing out that almost all of the brands in the list – with the exception of Kogan and Catch – also had very high-profile physical store networks.

Global Marketplace CEO Nathan Brown highlighted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behaviour of Australians when it comes to shopping and how it made retailers realise the importance and value of having an e-commerce arm.

He said: "Australian businesses, employees and consumers have gone through unprecedented levels of change throughout the pandemic, leaving many to wonder: what is normal anymore."

"However, the growth in online retail is here to stay. We have seen many companies doubling down on e-commerce and investing not just for profits today, but growth tomorrow."

"For retailers to maintain their relevance for consumers, they need to keep evolving and growing."

What are your thoughts on this, members? Have you shopped at any of the top 10 stores listed above? And while we’re on the topic of website usability - let us know if there’s anything we could be doing better on the SDC website. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[Ricci]

I would shop a lot more with Bunnings if their delivery fees weren't so prohibitive.

 

[Jennie]

Unfortunately in most areas, bunnings is the only hardware store, as they very methodically wiped out all their competitors. In Wagga they moved from East of the town to west nearly 3 ks so they could be almost next door to a profitable medium sized hardware store. Not my favourite store they only stock some brands, not all and demand exclusivity on certain brands like Ryobi, can't buy it anywhere else.