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The Australian Online Shopping Industry
We all know that e-commerce is a huge industry around the world and in Australia, but how huge is it really? Well, as of 2018, pretty big – just last year, Australians spent a whopping $28.6-billion on online shopping alone. And out of all retail channels, e-commerce made up 9% of all sales.
Online clothing boutiques got a nice slice of that pie. Fashion is one of the biggest e-commerce segments, making up almost one-third of all online purchases. And when it comes to the popular “buy now, pay later” model popularised by third-party payment providers like Afterpay, almost half of all purchases via BNPL involved fashion-related items.
What To Look For When Shopping At Online Australian Dress Shops
Security
Most legitimate online shops have security features to keep your sensitive data (e.g. your credit card info) safe. Before hitting “checkout”, make sure you’re on the right website, and that it the URL has https:// and not http://. Also, be wary of doing your online shopping while you’re connected to a public network. It’s best to do it at home where you’re more protected from hackers.
Reviews
Sellers can make all kinds of promises about their services or their products, but do they actually deliver? While there’s no way to know for sure, you can get a better idea of what to expect if you read reviews by other customers. While highly-rated items or stores aren’t a guarantee of perfect service, there’s less risk in trusting dress boutiques with glowing reviews.
Payment Options & Promotions
Pretty much every online seller accepts credit/debit cards nowadays, but for those on a budget, keep an eye out for those that offer payment plans (e.g. Afterpay). Most shops also offer discount codes, sales, and special offers on occasion, so be sure to take advantage of those when they pop up!
Returns/Exchange
Since you don’t get the chance to look at, hold, or try on clothing items before you buy them online, there’s always the chance you might get something that doesn’t meet your expectations. Always check the store’s return/exchange policy first so that you don’t get stuck with a disappointing purchase.
Online Shopping For Women: The Best Australian Boutiques
11. Missguided
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Trendy pieces, inclusive sizing for plus-size gals, and a “pay later” option.
10. Nasty Gal
Price range: $-$$
Why we love it: Edgy separates and staples, flexible 28-day return policy, and student discounts.
9. Boohoo
Price range: $-$$
Why we love it: Dedicated petite and plus-size catalogues, constant sales, and a 30-day refund policy.
8. Princess Polly
Price range: $-$$
Why we love it: Free shipping over $50, a wide range of fashion and cosmetics, Afterpay available.
7. Net-A-Porter
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Budget and luxury fashion in one site, free shipping promotions, and huge discounts.
6. David Jones
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Free shipping over $100, same-day shipping, and hundreds of brands in stock.
5. Myer
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Free delivery over $49, women’s/men’s clothing PLUS home items, and membership rewards.
4. Showpo
Price range: $-$$
Why we love it: Free shipping over $50, same or next-day shipping, plus-size inclusive range, and student discounts.
3. The Iconic
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Tons of discount codes, over 60,000 products, and free express shipping over $50 to major cities.
2. Pretty Little Thing
Price range: $-$$
Why we love it: Constantly updated collections, plus-size range, lenient return policy, and 50% off for students.
Shop from Pretty Little Thing.
1. ASOS
Price range: $-$$$
Why we love it: Petite and plus-size options, free shipping over $40, free returns, and a huge selection of the latest trends.
Conclusion
Thanks to great deals, amazing clothing selections, and convenient delivery and payment options, online shopping is definitely here to stay. Check out these 11 online Australian boutiques for some great new things to add to your wardrobe!
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