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Welcome to the
ARA Peak Season Hub
Spending Forecasts
Pre-Christmas
$69.7 billion
Pre-Christmas sales forecast, up 2.7% on 2023
Black Friday Weekend
$6.7 billion
Projected retail sales for the four-day weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, up 5.5% on 2023
Resources
Tips for a smooth peak season
Parcel prep, lodgement and more peak know-how.
2024
Meta Holiday
Insights
Read on to unwrap insights and strategic tips to boost your business success during the most wonderful time of the year.
Bought to you by
2024
Retail Holiday Planning Guide
In the 2024 Retail Holiday Planning Guide, Salesforce reveal the key to winning peak holiday season (psst! It’s data!) and show you four ways to stand out to shoppers this year.
Bought to you by
Deloitte Access Economics Retail Forecasts
Deloitte Access Economics’ latest report reveals how retailers are bracing for the impact of high costs, insolvencies and a weakening labour market.
Bought to you by
PEAK SEASON INSIGHTS
BREAKFAST
Brought to you by
Event Details
16 October 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Don’t miss the ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast, which heralds in the all-important holiday trading period for our sector, featuring highly anticipated Christmas consumer spending predictions.
Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary
2024 - 2025
Presenting the Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary for 2024-2025, a practical resource designed to guide retailers through this busy period.
This page outlines trading hours for the upcoming summer shopping season, providing an overview of when businesses are expected to open and close their doors during the festive holiday period depending on their location and exemption status.
Media
Stay up to date with the ARA’s latest media release updates this holiday season
Black Friday sales a winner this Christmas as cost-of-living continues to bite
Retailers are welcoming an expected $69.7 billion boost in retail sales during the six-week peak season lead up to Christmas, marking a 2.7% increase on last year’s figures. This new
Modest retail spending uptick in August
Australian retailers continued to face slow discretionary spend throughout the month of August, despite a modest uptick in consumer spending compared to the same time last year. The latest retail
Australian Retailers Association calls for transparency around CHOICE data
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has called for greater transparency around the supermarket data released today by CHOICE. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said taxpayers, government, and most importantly consumers
One in five Aussies will get into the Halloween spirit
Australians are getting into the spooky season spirit this year, with retailers set to enjoy a $450 million boost from Halloween spending in 2024. New data from Roy Morgan shows
September cash-rate provides cold comfort for retailers
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hold cash rates at 4.35%. ARA Chief Executive Officer Paul Zahra said
Retail’s best and brightest recognised at industry awards night of nights
Australia’s leading retailers across large and small businesses have made their mark at the inaugural 2024 ARA Retail Awards, sponsored by principal partner American Express. The event honoured retailers large
Retailers welcome QLD measures to strengthen penalties for assaults in the workplace
Peak bodies, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA), have welcomed the Queensland Government’s Respect at Work laws that will see stronger protections for people assaulted at
Retailers welcome Victoria Police’s crack-down on retail crime
Peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), has applauded Victoria Police’s announcement today that 24 serious offenders have been arrested and charged on 478 counts as part of Operation
ARA CEO Paul Zahra resigns to make way for new leadership under amalgamated entity
The CEO of Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Paul Zahra today announced his resignation, ending his near five year tenure at the end of 2024 as the association transitions to an
Soft consumer spending continues through July
Australian retail sales remained challenging in July 2024 with modest growth of 2.3% compared to the same month last year according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of
Retailers call for national consistency on phase out of single-use plastics
With the next phase of single-use-plastics bans coming into effect in Western Australia and South Australia from 1 September, Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has renewed calls for national alignment and
Retail industry leaders shortlisted for ARA Retail Awards 2024
The nation’s most exceptional retailers have been shortlisted for the inaugural ARA Australian Retail Awards, with a sustainable denim company, an Australian-made scent and candle brand, and a beloved second-hand
Australian Small Retailers Seek to Drive Growth Through Innovation Among Mixed Financial Picture
New research reveals small retailers are looking for creative ways to grow their businesses with about two-thirds (67 per cent) looking for innovative ways to acquire new business, more than
Australians to spend less on Father’s Day amidst cost-of-living crunch
This Father’s Day, Australians will spend $820 million on their dads, with alcohol and food (34%), clothing, shoes, and sleepwear (15%) and books, games, and music (15%) the top three
Communique: Retail Employee Safety Council (August 2024)
Representatives from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) met in Melbourne today to reaffirm their shared commitment to protecting retail workers against
Retailers welcome August cash rate relief
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision today to again hold cash rates at 4.35% will be a relief for
Modest June spending uptick as Australians embrace End of Financial Year sales
Australian retail sales saw an overall year-on-year increase of 2.9% in June 2024, compared to the same month last year, with a welcome increase across all spending categories driven by
ARA forms new partnership with Australia’s leading commerce platform
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Shopify focused on delivering the latest commerce trends and insights to Australian retailers. Powering more than 25%
Shop Small this August to Reward Yourself and Local Small Business Owners
Australians are being encouraged to back local small businesses this August as American Express launches its annual Shop Small campaign, rewarding both shoppers and businesses that participate. Now in its
Australia’s peak retail bodies tackle retail crime head-on
In response to the rise in retail crime across the country, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) are joining forces to call for major changes
Training Opportunties
Featured Course
Retail and Hospitality:
Understanding and Eliminating Work-Related Sexual Harassment
Retail Services Programs
Are you looking to recruit Christmas casuals?
The Australian Retailers Association is currently offering several Certificate II in Retail Services programs across Sydney, preparing graduates just in time for the holiday rush.
Our graduates will have excellent customer service skills including the art of engaging and managing customers to ensure they are retail ready to add value to your teams.
This is the perfect opportunity to source your next recruits directly from our programs at no cost. If you are looking for staff, please reach out to the ARA Retail Institute to learn more.
Micro-Course
Handling customer aggression during the holiday season
The holiday season can be a stressful time for everyone, including customers.
Prepare yourself and your team with this micro-course to confidently and effectively manage challenging customer situations during the busy Christmas period.
Learn strategies to diffuse tensions while ensuring a positive shopping experience for everyone, minimizing negative impacts on you, your colleagues, other shoppers, and the customer.
Retail Therapy Podcast
Peak Season Bonus Episodes 2024
Looking for more insights? Dive into the ARA’s highly acclaimed Retail Therapy podcast! Discover our special Peak Season episodes below and stay tuned for more exciting releases coming your way.
Black Friday to Boxing Day: What’s ahead for retailers and consumers with Craig Woolford
In this special peak season episode of Retail Therapy, Paul Zahra is joined by Craig Woolford, Senior Retail Analyst in the Consumer Sector at MST Marquee. Together, they explore what’s
Peak season spending insights with Laura Demasi from Roy Morgan
In this special Peak Season episode of Retail Therapy, we are joined by Laura Demasi, Head of Retail Research and Social and Consumer Trends at Roy Morgan. With over 15
*Coming soon*
Australia Post's 2024 Christmas Sending Dates
Recommended business lodgement dates for domestic parcels
Australia Post’s recommended last lodgement dates are based on where you’re sending from and sending to.
Send your parcels as early as possible and by the below dates, so they have the best chance of arriving
in time for Christmas.
Thank you to our Hub Partner
