EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND IS A VOTE FOR THE FUTURE YOU WANT

Regardless of the marketing spin brands and retailers spit out at an ever increasing and desperate rate, it is consumers who have the greatest power to decide how the future of consumer commerce in Australia looks.

The only way forward is for consumers to understand that, while it may seem like a short-term fix right now to buy inferior imported budget items versus quality products from local producers, ultimately every dollar we spend is a vote in the future we want.

In Australia, as in the US, Canada and UK we’re at the crossroads when it comes to price versus value. Larger retailers and big conglomerates made up of hundreds, sometimes thousands of brands, have been dictating both the price and quality of the products consumers can buy, almost always at the expense of genuine value. It’s normally about “churn”. Making products that have to be replaced regularly, rather than ones that last. A race to the bottom.

Now, and as result, many SMEs are being squeezed out again. Many local manufacturers are either offshoring or closing up altogether as there’s only so much room at the bottom.

In good times, it’s easy for consumers to spend a few extra dollars to buy quality. In tough times, whether it’s buying cheap house branded products from supermarkets or disposable items from the big chains (think fast fashion or cheap kitchenware and electrical appliances) or a brand owned by a multinational, it’s easy not to think of the repercussions, but this is the time people need to double up and buy quality and value over price.

When consumers buy on price only, they are almost always not getting fair value for the money they spend. Many budget brands compromise on health, materials or ingredients, industrial processing and dubious sourcing in order achieve the lowest price and win the race to the bottom.

There’s a number of problems here. First, the bottom is finite. When you reach the lowest point, there’s nowhere else to go. Second, the price retailers charge consumers is still increasing, while the quality, size and value of the products they sell is decreasing. So not only are consumers getting crap products, but they are paying more for them. Profits for both multinationals and retailers are increasing, while local manufacturers are squeezed and consumers are paying the price, all while their wages are not keeping pace with the price increases.

So something has to give.

Are AI assistants the solution?

Yes! That’s an easy one.

What about D2C?

Again, yes! It’s a no brainer.

D2C eliminates all the unnecessary cost from the supply chain. Manufacturers sell their quality products direct to consumers at a decent margin – no middle men, processing or repackaging plants, wholesalers, distributors, importers, agents or retailers involved – just great products from great manufacturers at great prices. It’s a win:win for both manufacturers and consumers. Of course, the others in the old traditional model don’t like D2C because it eliminates them (and their profiteering) from the equation.

When consumers think about the future they want and make purchasing decisions accordingly, they don’t just add value for themselves and their family, they add value to their community. When almost one third of all consumers have already changed from buying retail to D2C, the future isn’t looking good for retailers anyway. With AI assistants and D2C the “retail lie” is exposed. “Brand lies” are exposed. AI assistants answer the question most consumers ask – “what’s best for me?”

Not only is the answer AI assistants provide the one you are looking for, it’s also the best one for your budget, Australian manufacturers and producers, and the economy. Thinking about your purchasing decisions can have an enormous impact – especially if we do it collectively.

How can consumers easily buy D2C?

Onnero makes it really easy for consumers to buy from quality local producers at the most competitive prices. Simply join yourself, or ask your company to join our employer program (it has heaps of great benefits and amazing inclusions) and shop over 16,000 products – all with free delivery.

How can manufacturers easily sell D2C?

Onnero enables manufacturers to reach consumers without the need for retail intervention, huge marketing budgets or fulfilment challenges. Onnero is a simple AI powered ecosystem for manufacturers to achieve D2C dominance without the headaches of doing it all themselves. Want to find out more? check out how to Sell on Onnero.