News Articles

Retail registers to ring $6.3 billion in post-Christmas sales - Shoppers take advantage of big savings after tough year

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said shoppers were expected to spend $6.3 billion during the two weeks of post-Christmas sales from Boxing Day through to mid January.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said expected post-Christmas retail sales in each state were NSW $2.05 billion, Victoria $1.52 billion, Queensland $1.32 billion, WA $676.7 million, South Australia $424.7million, Tasmania $132.8 million, ACT $120.6 million and NT $63.2 million.

"Retailers will be offering generous sales of up to 70% off or more for consumers who were struggling with limited discretionary spend earlier in the year and now have money in their pockets to responsibly enjoy some discounted retail therapy," Evans said.

"The post-Christmas period will give a welcome $2.34 billion boost to the household goods and entertainment sector (which has been struggling with low trade for months) with many shoppers holding out for substantial savings on domestic appliances and other big ticket items.

"Other winners in the post-Christmas sales are expected to be department stores ($1.12 billion), clothing and footwear retailers ($957 million) and recreational and sporting goods ($566 million).

"Crowds are always expected when consumers flock to the shops for post-Christmas day bargains but this year's savvy shoppers will include the one fifth of consumers who delayed up to 40% of their Christmas shopping until Boxing Day and beyond.

"It's easy for shoppers to be excited and overwhelmed during post-Christmas sales but we're advising consumers to keep their cool when bargain hunting and behave in a way that embraces the spirit of the festive season," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

Options:

View Archives