Online shopping is booming, but baskets are shrinking

Sean Cao

3rd Nov 2026

Consumers are becoming more value-conscious as they shop online more but spend less per purchase, according to CommBank data.  

New CommBank IQ analysis featured in the latest Australia Post E-commerce Report found that online spending soared 17 per cent year-on-year to $25 billion online in the September quarter.

Meanwhile, the average online basket fell 6.8 per cent to $90, the lowest level recorded in the dataset.   

The figures suggest Australians are still willing to spend online, but are spreading that spending across smaller transactions and looking harder for value as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas shopping season approach.  

CommBank data showed last year’s Black Friday fortnight generated a record $23.8 billion in spending.

Historical spending patterns also show basket sizes typically increase in November as shoppers prepare for major sales periods. 

“The ability to understand customers in near real time has never been more important, particularly in the lead-up to peak sales season,” said CommBank IQ CEO Simon Johnson. 

“While Australians are still spending, the way they’re spending is changing, and businesses that can identify those shifts early will be better placed to adapt their offers, customer experience and strategies.” 

During the September quarter, every state and territory recorded double-digit annual growth, led by WA at 19.5 per cent, Queensland at 17.8 per cent and Victoria at 16.6 per cent.

Online marketplaces attracted the largest share of spending at $6.1 billion, followed by food and liquor at $5.3 billion and fashion at $3.6 billion.    

Millennials accounted for the largest share of online spending, at $9.6 billion. Gen X consumers spent $6.6 billion online, while Gen Z spending rose 17.2 per cent to $4.6 billion.