By Shivaun Hales

Online retail is threatening jobs at bricks-and-mortar retailers, however eStore Logistics CEO and founder Leigh Williams believes ecommerce is actually responsible for producing local job opportunities in new areas.

eStore Logistics is Australia's only logistics provider designed to service online retail, Williams told www.connectedaustralia.com the common belief often voiced by Gerry Harvey that local jobs are being lost with the online boom is not necessarily true.

“Just because the jobs are moving from retail, that doesn’t mean they’re disappearing from Australia all together. They’re appearing in new areas,” he said.

“While people buy goods from overseas retailers online jobs are being created locally in logistics- whether it’s warehouses, packing or the couriers who deliver the product,” he added.

The eStore Logistics business grew 288% in 2010 off the back of offering customised solutions to Australia's rapidly growing online retail industry.

The rapid growth of eStore Logistics also led to a three-fold increase in its staff numbers over the same period, Williams believes this indicates that while online retail has caused the demise of some bricks and mortar retailers - it has created new job opportunities elsewhere.

“Australia Post is another prime example, the company almost went broke with the rise of email. However with the current online retail boom e-parcels are now breathing some life back into the company,” Williams said.

New online retailers are opening for business each day providing consumers with the opportunity to hunt for better deals. Williams said traditional retailers must be innovative with their businesses in order to stay alive.

“That might mean having fewer bricks-and-mortar stores, or opening an online store to complement the existing business,” he said.

Setting up an on online store doesn’t have to be too hard or time-consuming, Williams said it can cost as little as $1,000 to $2,000 to start up and also presents local IT job opportunities.