Overseas invasion set to shake up Australia’s retail sector

A spate of new retailers is expected to expand into Australia in the coming year and even more are planning on expanding their online presence.

Only seven percent of money spent in Australia's retail sector is spent online, making Australia a very bricks and mortar dominant region.

As a result, many international retailers have announced plans to expand their operations into Australia.

Among them is UK department store John Lewis, which has formed a partnership with Myer.

John Lewis will be selling bedding, bathroom, dinnerware and decorator items within the Australian department stores at six separate locations.

The first of the stores has already opened at Warringah Mall on Sydney's Northern Beaches, but more will follow in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Fellow British department store Debenhams is also opening in Australia, with its first store expected in Melbourne in September.

Marks and Spencer has already established an online presence, fuelling rumours it too may open a store in Australia.

In the sport retail sector, two overseas heavyweights are expending locally.

Popular British activewear chain JD Sports will be opening this year, stocking men's, women's and kids' wear, as well as fitness accessories.

Also opening is discount French sporting retailer Decathlon, which is expected to open stores in Sydney and Melbourne.

US online giant Amazon's Australian expansion has been well-publicised, but one of the most interesting new players rumoured to be setting up is Chinese behemoth Ali Baba.

The company processed transactions worth $206.5 billion in the final quarter of 2016 and has opened an office in Melbourne.