Online marketplace Catch increased its gross transaction value by just 1 per cent, to $616 million, during the December half. 

Parent Wesfarmers said elevated sales during lockdowns were offset by a decline as restrictions eased. However, compared with the half year to December 2019, GTV was up 97.5 per cent showing gains made during the early stages of the two-year-long Covid-19 pandemic have been maintained. 

Wesfarmers said the number of active customers on the site increased by 100,000 during the half, taking the total to 3 million. 

“Catch’s earnings performance for the half reflected continued investment in the team, technology, marketing and capabilities to support long-term growth, as well as investment in automation technology and fulfilment capacity,” the company said in its results report released Thursday.

“Good progress was made in many areas but a moderation in the performance of the in-stock business resulted in higher levels of inventory clearance compared to the prior year.”

A new Catch fulfilment centre under construction in NSW has progressed well and commissioning is on track for the first half of the current calendar year.

Catch expects the facility to allow faster deliveries to customers and continue to develop Catch’s automated fulfilment capabilities.