Despite the ongoing outcry over retailers losing money to overseas online outlets, Australians overwhelmingly still shop domestic, or combine the use of Australian and international online retailers when they buy over the internet.

A recent survey by Creditworld.com.au of 2262 Australian respondents confirmed that 91 per cent will use an Australian retailer such as Coles online or a boutique, or a combination of Australian and international retailers, when shopping online. Almost half – 49 per cent – of respondents said they shop more often with Australian retailers than any international retailer online.

And more than half – 53 per cent – also said they definitely consider whether or not the website they want to buy from is Australian owned or Australian based before deciding to purchase.

Whether or not the website was offering immediate delivery was also of little consequence when making the decision to purchase.

Just 18.4 per cent (416 out of 2262 respondents) said they only cared whether the retailer was Australian based if they wanted immediate delivery.

Results indicated that there might also be positive action ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers can take to entice shoppers back into their stores, following the revelation of the 10 worst retailers for customer service in Australia by the Choice shadow shopper survey.

Some 63 per cent might be enticed back into a ‘bricks and mortar’ store by the store offering something extra, besides better customer service, whether or not buying online is more convenient.

And 17.6 per cent of all respondents said they definitely would shop in a bricks and mortar retail store if the store was offering something more than just the goods sold.

The reasons for shopping online that were most popular with respondents were convenience, and to avoid paying full retail prices.

Surprisingly, fewer than one in 10 (9.4 per cent) of respondents said they shop online for convenience, while 6.9 per cent said they don’t want to pay retail prices.

The majority of those surveyed indicated they were open to returning to bricks and mortar retailers depending what was on offer – 56 per cent.

Above all else, the two factors that stood out most of all were free products or samples and money off the next visit.

Three in four respondents would be enticed back into the store, most likely making a return visit, if offered one of these.

Extras such as live shows, demonstrations or entertainment, free food or entry into a prize draw scored all very poorly with respondents.

One result that might say something about privacy and marketing via social media was the fact customers would not be happy if the store recognised them from their social media or facebook profile.

Just 2.3 per cent of respondents said they would be happy to shop inside if the salesperson already knew them from their profile, making it the second least popular choice ahead of a live show or entertainment.

Retailers with a social media profile still have a long way to go to bridge the gap between page fans, or interactions, and customers through the door it would seem.

Other results:

• 46 per cent of respondents still prefer to buy technology products, such as gadgets, games, devices etc in store as opposed to online.
• Despite the overwhelming popularity and bargaining power offered by Daily Deals websites, 54 per cent of respondents still prefer to buy gifts for others in store as opposed to online. This could mean when people use these it is only for themselves.
• One area retailers could really capitalise on is Homewares. A whopping 75 per cent of respondents said they buy their homewares mostly in store, indicating a genuine persuasion away from buying online, whether or not they browse online first.
• Rather unsurprisingly, clothes and cleaning products are still mostly purchased in store (perhaps until Apps such as ‘does my bum look big in this’ can replace shopping with friends for clothes).

The survey was conducted by consumer finance website www.creditworld.com.au and combined an e-mail and facebook survey with a web based survey where results were compiled externally.

All questions originated from creditworld.