Amazon have their “Prime” service now Australia Post has moved into the premium delivery market with “Shipster” and several consumer electronics retailers including Harvey Norman and Kogan, have already signed on to the service.
Australia Post has launched Shipster, ahead of the arrival of Amazon who are tipped to launch an interim service in November.
Consumers who pay an annual fee will get free delivery of goods that they have ordered online.
Already 40 Australian retailers have signed up to Shipster after Australia Post mounted a major sales pitch to retailers.
According to Australia Post 2017 will be there biggest year ever for the delivery of online parcels after the market grew from 11.5 per cent to 15 per cent in the past 12 months.
CEO Christine Corbett said the Shipster service had been launched just in time for “savvy shoppers to get organised for Christmas”.
A new survey by digital marketing agency DataSauce, founded by former head of digital at Catch of the Day, Tzvi Balbin, showed that while 90 per cent of respondents know that Amazon is on the way, only half (48 per cent) knew about the Amazon Prime offering – a premium service that offers shoppers free and fast shipping.
“The Amazon Prime offering is more advanced than almost any of the services offered by retailers in Australia. This means that even those who have upped the ante with quicker delivery times may still struggle to compete with this service and match the level of investment,” Mr Balbin said.
From now until January 1 shoppers in metropolitan Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane can join Shipster for $9.95.
Ms Corbett said members will receive free shipping whenever they spend $25 and over at participating stores, as well as free delivery of one Deliveroo order each month. Members will then have their shipping costs automatically deducted on eligible purchases at the checkout.
“We know our customers love to shop online and this Christmas we expect more gifts to be bought online than ever before.
Amazon Prime enables customers to pay an annual fee of about $100 for free and fast delivery.
Mr Balbin said about 60 million US households have signed up for the Amazon Prime service. Amazon also offers a service called Amazon Now, which promises to deliver products such as groceries in under an hour.
