Australia: Consumer Lifestyles in 2017

In recent years, consumers have remained relatively optimistic, at least in their long-term view, reflected by continued growth in spending. However, more recently the volatile Australian dollar has prompted uncertainty and high household debt levels have dampened the willingness to spend in many households. High housing prices remain a concern, threatening to price many first-time buyers out of the market. Consumers are avid online shoppers, often shopping at overseas internet retailing sites.