The ORIAS: why this industry recognition matters to local businesses

Celebrating a decade of support

2024 marks Australia Post’s tenth year in partnership with the Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS). Much has changed in the eCommerce space over this decade. We’ve seen the rise and rise of online marketplaces, the march to mobile, increasing uptake of social commerce, a growing focus on sustainability and of course, the recent rise of AI.

Amidst all these changes, Aussie retailers have done the industry proud, taking the local eCommerce industry from strength to strength. Indeed, many Australian brands now compete comfortably on the global eCommerce stage.

And the future looks equally bright. According to Gary Starr, Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post and eCommerce Services at Australia Post, “The long-term outlook for retailers is promising, with news that by 2033, we expect around 1 in every 3 dollars to be spent online. And we’ll be here to deliver for you and your customers.”

Australia Post plans to be there every step of the way. “We are thrilled to have partnered with the Online Retail Association for the past 10 years and look forward to continuing our major sponsorship of the Australia Post ORIAS Awards in recognising innovation and excellence in Australian eCommerce,” says Gary.

Australia Post Impact Awards reflect industry changes

In a nod to the rapidly changing eCommerce landscape, Australia Post introduced three new awards categories at the 2023 ORIAS. Free to enter, these ‘Impact Awards’ were introduced to recognise three areas of online retail that are close to our heart.

“Our Impact Awards are reflective of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and innovation, as well as recognition of how important these areas of focus are to a growing number of Australian online retailers,” says Gary.

The Australia Post Impact Awards are:

• Small Business Innovation Award
  This award recognises small businesses that have innovated to deliver a new product or service, outstanding customer experience or business process. 
• Sustainability Impact Award
  This award recognises businesses that, like Australia Post, value a purpose of delivering a better tomorrow, and creating positive social, environmental and economic outcomes. To enter, you should be driving sustainable change within the eCommerce industry through demonstrated process, product or innovation.
• Diversity and Inclusion Impact Award
  This category celebrates businesses who have made an outstanding contribution to supporting diversity and fostering inclusion within their business and beyond. This may include culturally and linguistically diverse, disability, gender equality, indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and veterans.

Apparel brand Modibodi was a finalist in the inaugural 2023 Sustainability Award and is grateful for the opportunities this has presented. “We were delighted to enter the ORIAS Impact Award and help recognise our team’s passion for developing real, sustainably-minded products that work and change people’s lives for the better,” says Modibodi.

“Being a finalist in the ORIAS gives Modibodi a unique way to connect with like-minded, sustainably-centric brands. It enables us to share our sustainable values with a wider audience, helping more and more people understand the very real benefits of reusable period-proof underwear.”

Is 2024 your time to shine?

As an Aussie online retailer, has your brand done something in the last year that you’re particularly proud of? Maybe you cracked a new market. Hit a new sustainability target. Or perhaps you introduced a new workplace initiative to better support your workforce.

Whatever your achievements, you could be a contender for the 2024 ORIAS. These awards celebrate the inspirational work of brands like yours—recognising and honouring the visionary pioneers who are driving innovation in multichannel and online retail.

With entries for the 2024 awards opening on 20 March, it’s time to start thinking about your entry. Why enter? The reason is simple, says Modibodi.

“We entered to support the local industry and to recognise the work our team does behind the scenes to create a fantastic product.”