The Federal Government will host an online retail summit on February 18 that will include representatives from some of the country’s largest online retailers including eBay, PayPal and Deals Direct.
The announcement of the summit comes as the Productivity Commission is compiling a report about the future of online retail in Australia, which may also include a recommendation about whether the Government should impose a 10% tax on imports bought online.
But the announcement of the online forum, along with the invitations extended to some of the largest digital retailers in the country, seems to suggest the Government is not too keen on imposing a new tax for online sales.
The Government’s Online Retail Forum will also include a number of other organisations such as Australia Post, Google and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which will all take part in discussions about logistics and the rights of the online shopper.
Start-up retailer Shoes of Prey will also take part in the event, with the government hoping to showcase how smaller businesses can harness the internet.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said in a statement the forum is designed to “assist Australian businesses, particularly small businesses, to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital economy”.
The Government also said the Forum is an opportunity to show retailers how they can expand their business ahead of the National Broadband Network.
Speaker Paul Greenberg, chief executive of online department store Deals Direct, says he hopes the forum will be an opportunity to discuss how online retailers can overcome new challenges.
“I think we all represent slightly different verticals, and the Government has done well in picking a good representation of the industry. It’s only a half-day event, so we can’t cover everything, but I’m quite thrilled to be included.”
Greenberg says the forum comes at a time when online retailing is now beginning to gain more prominence among everyday consumers, especially as the large department stores such as Myer, David Jones and Westfield come online.
“I think we’re at a tipping point here. The promise of broadband is changing the way people view online retail. We know there are plenty of advantages here, and it will be great to talk about them.”
“I don’t think there’s going to be a hard and fast agenda going into the forum, but it will be a great opportunity to talk about where we are going and some of the challenges going forward.”
GraysOnline chief executive Cameron Poolman says while the agenda of any discussions is not yet finalised, he hopes to talk about some issues facing retailers including inventory.
“I think the challenge for local online retail will be getting content, and inventory. But that’s the market determining that, and we have very strong retailers now online and so I think in time that will change.”
Poolman also says the forum will be a good opportunity to judge the Government’s reaction on whether a GST should be implemented for online sales.
“I think that’s going to be interesting to see what the Government’s view is on the GST. I’m not totally agreeing with the major retailers that it should be a level playing field. I think the unfortunate thing is that people are finding things 50% cheaper so a 10% cut doesn’t really resonate… so that will be interesting.”
The forum will also see Australia Post take part in a discussion with DHL and Temando regarding logistics issues.
Small business minister Nick Sherry will deliver a closing keynote at the address, while the event will also be webcast for those who can’t attend.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
Comments