Power Retail, the number one resource for Australian e-commerce insights and intelligence, hosted Australia’s ultimate online retail event, ‘The All Star Bash’ on Thursday 29th April, 2021.
Held at the Crown Towers Melbourne, it was a night to celebrate the ‘All Stars’ of digital retail and recognise their mark on the Australian retailing industry.
The All Star Bash saw record attendance this year, with over 750 guests in attendance from leading retailers such as Woolworths, Rebel, Officeworks and many more.
Each year, Power Retail recognises Australia’s Top 100 Online Retailers and announces category winners at this prestigious event. The Top 100, which is a part of their rolling Top 500 Online Retailer Rankings, comprises a mix of pureplay and omnichannel retailers, with the winners representing the best-of-breed leaders of the e-commerce industry.
In a surprising leap, Bunnings Warehouse snagged the top-spot, followed by leading grocery giant, Woolworths, in second place. In a season first, Kmart has joined the ranks taking out the third spot.
Bunnings Warehouse was a major winner online from COVID-19, with a massive leap in traffic and sales that propelled Bunnings ahead of the supermarket duopoly for the first time ever. A laggard to online, Bunnings most definitely arrived and then some in 2020, with click and collect, plus its marketplace offering seeing an enormous surge.
Coming in close behind, rounding out the top ten in order were Woolworths, Kmart, Coles, Kogan, Catch, Target, Chemist Warehouse, Officeworks and JB-Hi-Fi.
In developing the Top 100, Power Retail has developed a ranking methodology which analyses retailer performance across the four key dimensions of the consumer lifecycle; Acquisition, Conversion, Fulfilment and Retention.
This sophisticated, world-class ranking system incorporates over 3 million data points across 41 separate metrics to identify where retailers are succeeding, and where they can improve.
Metrics plugged into this model include search capabilities, shopper time on-site, accessibility, delivery options, payment options, pages viewed by session, site performance, ratio of mobile users, mobile app success, login capabilities and net promoter score.
This year, they also added in ‘Click and Collect’ as a key metric, due to the impacts of COVID-19 on retail stores. The end result is a weighted combination of these metrics and quantitative data from third-party sources.
Grant Arnott, Managing Director of Power Retail said, “with COVID-19 forcing Australians online more than ever before, it’s been very impressive to watch how brands have adapted quickly to the high demand. Retailers that led the charge, including Bunnings, JB Hi Fi and Officeworks, did well because they learnt to diversify their networks and not just rely on one channel for success.”
“Electrical, essentials and sports were the major upward movers in 2020, with Microsoft jumping 24 spots, and Rebel, BCF and Anaconda climbing into the Top 25. COVID really flipped the board as some of the stronger fashion brands struggled with supply and sales, and so we have seen a major shake-up in this year’s list.”
“While online shopping has been great for brands in helping them survive the pandemic, now customer loyalty will become key. Brands need to ensure repeat purchasing is occurring and that there is a focus on personalisation in 2021. Revenue and traffic overall is still increasing year-on-year and the conversion rate is strong, so the onus will be on retailers to ensure they’re delivering the best user experience possible, otherwise shoppers will simply look elsewhere.”
The All Star Bash Award Category Winners included:
- No.1 Online Retailer: Bunnings
- Most Improved Online Performance: Princess Polly
- Top Emerging Online Retailer: Koala
- Best Email Marketing: Adore Beauty
- Top Home & Decor Retailer: Temple & Webster
- Top User Experience: Adore Beauty
- Top Beauty Retailer: Adore Beauty
- Top Electrical & Office Retailer: Officeworks
- Top Small Medium Retailer: Bicycles Online
- Top Innovator: Modibodi
- Top Sustainable Retailer: Flora & Fauna
- Top Sports & Outdoor Retailer: Rebel
- Top Customer Experience: CUE
- Top Department Store: Bunnings
- Top Mobile Experience: Bras N Things
- Top Fashion & Accessories Retailer: Cotton On
- Top Social Retailer: Showpo
- Top Online Only Retailer: Kogan
- All Star Legends: Gabby Leibovich & Hezi Leibovich (Catch)
Featured Images: iStock/kokkai
