Australian retailers are concerned that online sales will dent their prospects for 2012.

According to a survey, over half of retailers expect online commerce to have a detrimental effect on the high street. Over half remain pessimistic that the state of the economy will keep demand low in 2012.

E-commerce retailers have the advantage that they do not encounter the expensive overheads that Aussie high street retailers do, which affects their ability to compete in price.

It is not yet clear what the solution might be to assuage the concerns of retailers, who will be hoping for changes in fortune in 2012.

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Kirsty Sparks