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Savvy shoppers avoid Christmas crowds and retail rage - Public Holiday shop trading hours announced

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said savvy shoppers should finalise their Christmas shopping early next week to avoid retail rage from last minute Christmas crowds and remain calm during post-Christmas sales.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said Christmas shop trading hours over the Christmas and New Year period (including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) would differ in each state and territory but the large crowds often caused retail rage from impatient and overwhelmed shoppers.

"In the lead up to Christmas many of the larger retailers and shopping centres will extend trading hours to accommodate the last minute rush but many retailers bear the brunt of consumer frustration over this period, as well during post-Christmas and Boxing Day sales," Evans said.

"Often shoppers who don't plan properly are pressed for time over the Christmas season and become frustrated with crowds and customer service delays due to long and slow-moving check-out lines. Retailers do their best by training extra staff to cope with irritated consumers but it can cause occupational health and safety issues for young, casual staff.

"Planning ahead pre-Christmas to finalise shopping as early as possible is a good way for shoppers to avoid getting irritated. It's also much easier for parents to keep their cool when negotiating Christmas crowds if they can leave children with trusted friends or family.

"Rather than focussing on larger retailers and department stores, consumers can also avoid crowd delays by shopping at smaller and independent retailers who are offering generous pre-Christmas sales this year.   

"After a tough year, retailers are working hard to attract shoppers over Christmas with generous sales and promotions but we're asking consumers to do their part and behave in a way that embraces the spirit of Christmas," 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.

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