Its been reported that an online Retail Monitor survey conducted by Nielsen/NetRatings, which canvassed 750 adult internet users by email in the month from December to January found that 87% of Australians researched goods or services online. Online shopping purchases were made by 54% of the surveyed group with an average purchase of around $570.

With time and convenience becoming more important to consumers, online shopping offers the ease of comparison of products and prices without burning boot leather or having to find a parking space. Other reasons for online shopping sucess is that online retailers mostly deliver products at a cheaper price because there is less staff and no expensive retail premises costs associated with online retailing.

The survey found that the most popular online purchase was airline tickets. A comparison of a similar survey in New Zealand found that the Kiwi’s actually showed higher levels of online research, higher levels of purchases and higher average sale however my wife has explained that they need to spend more on airline tickets to come to Australia to shop.

Laura Ashley’s global result for the year to the end of January 2007 showed a doubling of profit compared to the previous year.

Laura Ashley’s global sales were made up 82% from furniture and home decor, soft furnishings and accessories, with apparel making up just 18%. Although fashion sales increased 26% as the group recovered lower sales the previous year. The company reported a growing level of mail order and internet sales with 12% of UK retail sales coming from those sources.

Laura Ashley has 197 franchised stores in 28 countries including 28 stores in Australia. However, it said franchise sales decreased by 14% with falling sales fell in the Far East and closure of their Middle East operations.

The US-based Borders Group announced 22nd March that its bookshops in Australia, New Zealand and the UK are up for sale as the parent divests itself of the international stores.

The company said it “will explore strategic alternatives for the majority of its International segment”, and “will look toward its successful franchise model for future international expansion in new markets”

The announcement co-insides with its reported unaudited fourth quarter and full-year 2006 results for the period ended Feb. 3, 2007. On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a consolidated loss in the fourth quarter of $1.25 per share, which compares to consolidated earnings per share of $1.78 for the same period in 2005.

Oroton Group Limited has announced a 53% increase in net profit after tax to $6.1 million for the six months ended 27 January 2007. The company posted a 35.4% increase in earnings before interest and tax to $9.2 million, with improved retail trading conditions for premium apparel brands and accessories.

The company reported that the Oroton brand was key in driving growth, with a 21% increase in sales. The result for its Polo brand was more subdued, up 11% due to difficulties in wholesale trading. The company has sold its Aldo and its Marcs and Morrissey businesses during the period and reduced staff numbers by about 50% in its head office.

The company opened an Oroton online store and also opened four new Oroton retail stores that are performing well and plans to open a further 6 stores in the next 6 months with a new focus on design. The company now operates 25 Oroton stores and 5 factory outlets as well as 10 Polo stores and 3 Polo factory outlets.