AliExpress reports fuel costs and work-from-home are driving ‘smarter shopping’

ONGOING global uncertainty is driving up fuel costs, prompting Australians to work from home and rethink their commuting habits.

According to what online marketplace AliExpress is seeing, at the same time reduced travel is changing shopping patterns, with more households turning to online purchases and delivery to manage everyday expenses.

AliExpress marketing and partnership director Kit Yau said these shifts indicated that, amid the cost-of-living squeeze, people are having to make careful choices about where and how they spend.

Ms Yau said it was not just about going cheaper – Australians are becoming more calculated with what they spend, they’re looking for products that offer long-term value, reliable performance and practical everyday benefits.

“Australians are redefining what value means in the current climate, combining cost-conscious decisions with a growing appetite for quality and innovation,” Ms Yau said. “Channels like (AliExpress’s) Brand+ are helping consumers access verified global brands at competitive prices, giving them confidence in their purchases.

“With fuel prices and household budgets all under pressure, that shift is unlikely to slow down. Australians are becoming more informed and more open to global shopping, prioritising smarter purchases over simply spending less.” 

Shoppers rethink value as budgets tighten

Data from Deloitte research shows Australians were still highly price-conscious, Ms Yau said, with 95% actively hunting for deals, 73% comparing prices across multiple platforms before purchasing and about a third being “prepared to walk away entirely, if discounts are not on offer”.

But there has been a noticeable shift in mindset, she said.

“Rather than defaulting to the lowest price, shoppers are weighing up quality, reviews and brand reputation before buying, particularly when it comes to higher-cost items, such as tech.”

Ms Yau said younger Australians were leading this change, showing greater confidence in buying from platforms that allowed access to products that may not be widely available locally. Online marketplaces like AliExpress have been seeing increased interest, driven by strong demand for access to global brands and product ranges that are often priced more competitively than in Australia.

WFH boom drives demand for affordable tech

As more Australians look to avoid costly commutes and spend more time working from home (WFH), demand is rising for laptops, accessories and reliable connectivity. Brands such as Lenovo remain popular for those looking for dependable, everyday performance, while smaller and more affordable alternatives like mini PCs from Beelink, GMKtec and Minisforum are gaining traction among households trying to balance cost and capability.

There is also growing demand for networking equipment and smart home devices that can handle heavier daily usage, from video calls to streaming.

Rather than paying a premium locally, many consumers are turning to global brands to access a wider range of options at more competitive prices.

Premium brands without the premium price tag

A key driver behind this shift is the rise of curated offerings that aim to remove some of the uncertainty from buying overseas. AliExpress’s Brand+ channel, which qualifies more than 1,500 recognised global brands, is gaining attention for offering discounted pricing alongside guarantees of authenticity, Ms Yau said.

For consumers, particularly those investing in WFH setups, that added confidence is proving important, she said.

“Established brands such as Logitech and AMD sit alongside newer global players, offering quality products at more affordable prices and giving Australians greater choice, without the traditional retail mark-up,” Ms Yau said.

“It reflects a broader change in behaviour, where shoppers are looking beyond local shelves not just for value and convenience but for products that balance affordability with reliability.”

More than just work from home

The shift is not limited to office essentials. Australians are also exploring new categories, including creative and ‘maker’ technology.

Ms Yau said products like 3D printers from Creality and devices from brands such as Nothing, OnePlus and POCO were becoming more mainstream and used for side projects, small businesses and at-home innovation.

Driven, in part, by the rising cost of living, she said, this pointed to a wider trend where working from home was not just about maintaining productivity, but also exploring new opportunities and potential additional revenue streams.

A lasting shift in how Australians shop?

What is clear is that external pressures, from fuel costs to flexible work expectations, are accelerating existing trends in consumer behaviour.

Australians are becoming more resourceful and informed, willing to explore new purchasing channels, if it means getting better value, according to AliExpress data.

Ms Yau said because working from home remained part of the conversation – whether driven by cost, convenience or necessity – the way Australians shop for technology and everyday essentials was likely to continue evolving.

She said platforms offering curated global products, such as Brand+, would play a growing role in giving consumers access to “global innovation, recognised brands and more competitive pricing without the premium mark-up”.

www.aliexpress.com

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