Shoppers Down Under Lead the World in Mobile-First Shopping

Consumers in Australia are increasingly mobile-first, frequently reaching for their phones as part of their shopping experience. This goes beyond just making online purchases. The average Australian shopper uses their mobile devices to browse or buy nearly every day.

PYMNTS Intelligence’s latest research finds that Australia is slightly behind the global curve in mobile shopping, however. For example, typical Australian consumers order online for home delivery less often than in the other seven countries we surveyed, including Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Still, Australia has made the jump to the mobile-first era, and this trend will only gain traction.

To stay competitive, Australian merchants should prioritize technologies that make checkouts smooth and secure. One-click checkout options are a key part of this puzzle. Some 35% of Australian shoppers completed their latest online purchase this way, more than twice the global average of 17%. Another high-priority area is cross-channel shopping, something that a quarter of Australians wanted to use during their latest purchase but found unavailable.

Inside “The 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Australian Edition”:

The current state of play for mobile-first shopping in Australia.

How Australia stacks up to other key markets in mobile-first adoption.

What Australian consumers value most in their payment experience.

How often Australians use mobile devices to browse and buy in different channels.

The challenges Australian merchants face in delivering mobile-first excellence.

Download the Playbook 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Australia Edition

Mobile phones have become the most important gateway for reaching Australian shoppers. The report includes crucial information for merchants to succeed in the mobile-first era, whether they focus on online or physical channels.

About the Report

“The 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Australia Edition” was commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions, and PYMNTS Intelligence conducted the research and produced the report. It draws on insights from a survey of 18,468 consumers and 3,464 merchants across eight countries conducted from Oct. 17, 2024, to Dec. 9, 2024. The report examines the growing role mobile devices play in Australian consumer behavior across physical and digital shopping channels.