MHD NEWS
Online retailer reports 300 per cent increase on household goods sales
O
nline retailer Catch.com.au has reported sales of household goods on the site soared by 290 per cent in the first two weeks of March. Last month, Roy Morgan reported that online grocery sales increased by over 45 per cent, putting logistical pressure on retailers’ delivery networks. Data indicates that consumers are continuing to stockpile grocery and medical items, and supermarket continue to face distribution pressure to meet demand and fill shelves with essential products. Catch.com.au has reported a major uplift in site activity in recent weeks as consumers gravitate online, with traffic to its grocery pages up 467 per cent YoY. As online retailers experience a
surge in sales, Catch.com.au has ramped up supply chain operations and the focus is on maintaining stock and a reliable delivery service throughout this period of unprecedented demand. Household, pantry, health and baby products have been the most popular items in demand from online consumers. Sales of household goods on the site soared by 290 per cent compared to the same period last year, pantry goods, such as pasta, noodles and rice, rose 234 per cent, while health and beauty lifted 233 per cent. Wesfarmers acquired Catch.com. au in a $230 million deal last year and now operates as an independent business unit under the Kmart group.
Nati Harpaz, Managing Director, Catch.com.au said the online retailer has put limits on certain high-demand products such as wipes and soaps like other major retailers including Coles and Woolworths. “Our number one priority during these uncertain times is our customers and making sure they have access to the products they need, when they need it. We will continue to bring our customers a convenient shopping experience from the comfort of their home across a huge range of products,” she said. “By working with our partners to source extra stock and by imposing a limit on certain items, we aim to help those in need of products such as kitchen and pantry essentials.
Traffic to Catch.com.au’s grocery pages is up 467 per cent YoY.
8 | MHD MAY 2020
