2 ASX shares to boom from new shopping habits: experts

The pandemic has forever changed the way Australians buy goods. Here's a pair of stocks that could take advantage of the post-COVID era.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

As the nation's 2 largest cities burst out of long lockdowns, evidence is emerging that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the shopping behaviour of Australians.

Many Australians are now more at ease with ordering goods online, and this adoption may stick around long after the coronavirus is out of the headlines.

At the same time, pent-up demand has seen strong physical patronage for some sectors, such as hairdressing and department stores.

So how can ASX investors take advantage of this?

Fortunately for The Motley Fool readers, a pair of experts have nominated a pair of shares they would buy right now:

A happy couple hug each other as shopping resumes in an electronics store

Image source: Getty Images

All those packages have to start somewhere

Industrial real estate provider Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) has seen its shares rise nearly 17% so far this year.

According to Bell Potter Securities advisor John Anderson, Goodman has more than $5 billion of work in progress

"We view Goodman as a core portfolio holding," he told The Bull.

"The long term outlook for industrial and logistics properties is favourable given the continuing growth in e-commerce and a growing middle class in developing countries."

The warehousing business is looking strong, with Goodman boasting US behemoth Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) as one of its major clients.

Earlier this month, fund managers at Citi also indicated their bullish sentiment about Goodman.

"Its analysts currently have a buy rating and $26.00 price target on the company's shares," reported The Motley Fool's James Mickelboro.

Australians are heading back to the shops

Meanwhile Burman Invest chief investment officer Julia Lee likes the look of department store chain Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN).

"A strong residential market and savings should drive home goods and furniture sales as New South Wales and Victoria emerge from lockdowns."

Harvey Norman shares have lost about 15% over the past couple of months. It's now up just 3.8% for the year.

"Re-opening retail stores should underpin a brighter outlook and an improving share price," said Lee.

"Success in offshore expansion is another potential growth lever for the share price."

Lee is not the only one optimistic about the Australian retailer. Five out of 8 analysts rate the ASX share as a "strong buy", according to CMC Markets.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2022 $1,920 calls on Amazon and short January 2022 $1,940 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Broker Notes

Comical investor reading documents and surrounded by calculators.
Broker Notes

4 ASX 200 shares newly upgraded this week

As the Iran war and fuel crisis continues, some ASX 200 shares have attracted upgrades from the experts.

Read more »

A smiling woman puts fuel into her car at a petrol pump.
Broker Notes

Up 60% in a year, 3 reasons to buy Ampol shares today

A leading analyst forecasts more outperformance from Ampol’s surging shares. But why?

Read more »

Smiling worker in metal landfill.
Broker Notes

Up 45% in a year, 3 reasons to buy Sims shares today

A leading analyst forecasts more outperformance from Sims' soaring share price. But why?

Read more »

A bland looking man in a brown suit opens his jacket to reveal a red and gold superhero dollar symbol on his chest.
Broker Notes

Bell Potter names more of the best ASX shares to buy in April

The broker has good things to say about the shares this month.

Read more »

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Broker Notes

2 ASX shares downgraded by Morgans this week

Let's see what the broker is saying about these two names.

Read more »

A man rests his chin in his hands, pondering what is the answer?
Broker Notes

Should you buy Boss Energy shares for uranium exposure?

The team at Bell Potter has given its verdict on this uranium producer.

Read more »

A man leans forward propped on his elbows as he holds his clasped hands to his mouth in a worried pose as he gazes at his computer screen in a home setting.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Bank of Queensland, Koala, and Westpac shares

Let's see what analysts at Morgans are saying about these shares.

Read more »

Man drawing an upward line on a bar graph symbolising a rising share price.
Broker Notes

Why this ASX 200 share could be heading 40%+ higher

Looking for big returns? Bell Potter thinks this stock could be a buy.

Read more »