Supported by our Peak Performance partner
Welcome to the
Peak Season Hub
Spending Forecasts
Pre-Christmas
$73.1 billion
Pre-Christmas sales forecast, up 4.2% on 2024
Black Friday Weekend
$6.8 billion
Projected retail sales for the four-day weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, up 4% on 2024
Source: Roy Morgan
Gifting Insights
Here’s a snapshot of 2024 gifting trends for Australian consumers. Updated 2025 data will be released soon.
$11.8 billion
Forecast for 2024 gift spending, up $1.6 billion on 2023
16.7 million
Australians will be buying Christmas gifts in total this year, up 1% on 2023
$707
Average spend per shopper forecasted for 2024, up $61 on 2023
Resources
Game on.
Get peak season ready!
Want to ace every delivery this peak season?
Get the Australia Post Peak Playbook for all the tips on labelling, packaging, returns and more – in one handy document.
Level-up your parcel preparation with these how-to videos, designed to help you keep peak season running smoothly.
From tracking to delivery and returns, they’re ideal to retrain or refresh your teams ahead of the sales season.
Deloitte’s 2025 Retail Holiday Report
Holiday cheer is returning to Australian shoppers, with Deloitte’s 14th Retail Holiday Report revealing optimism for the festive season. Despite cost-of-living pressures, consumers are seeking value, convenience and seamless experiences.
Discover how AI, global marketplaces and in-store traditions are shaping retail this Christmas.
Bought to you by
Afterpay's Holiday Insights Unwrapped
Consider this your seasonal playbook: a guide to this year’s consumer sentiment, spending intentions and expectations. Plus, the strategies that will keep your brand relevant, visible and chosen, when it matters most.
The bottom line: Holidays are about connection, not chaos. The brands that understand this will sleigh the season.
Bought to you by
Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary
2025 - 2026
Presenting the Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary for 2025-2026, 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
Christmas comes early for retailers as Aussies buy sooner and spend more
Australians are embracing the festive spirit early in 2024, with a majority of shoppers (53%) having already purchased gifts as of mid-October. New Roy Morgan data, commissioned by the Australian
Holiday Shopping Now Starts Earlier for Most Aussies
53% of Australians finalise their holiday shopping lists by October, a number that jumps to 70% for those with kids living at home. 29% of Australians will do their festive
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
Training Opportunties
Retail Services Programs
Are you looking to recruit Christmas casuals?
The Australian Retailers Association is currently delivering several Certificate II in Retail Services programs across Sydney & Brisbane, preparing graduates just in time for the holiday rush. As well as the Customer Engagement Skill set in Melbourne.
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 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, minimising negative impacts on you, your colleagues, other shoppers and the customer.
Two ways to access the training that best suits your needs.
- Our facilitator led 3-hour online course can be delivered to your team at a time to suit your business. This is an accredited unit and a Statement of Attainment will be issued upon course completion.
- Or staff can access our online self-paced 2-hour micro course at a time that suits them.
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.
Live from the ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast: Trends shaping holiday 2024
In this special episode of Retail Therapy, we’re bringing you the highlights from the recent ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast, where retail’s top leaders shared their expert perspectives on this
AI & Retail: Preparing for Peak Season with Meta’s Kate Box
In this special episode of Retail Therapy, we’re diving into the heart of peak season preparations with two expert voices in retail and technology. Fleur Brown, Chief Industry Affairs Officer
Delivering for Peak Season: Australia Post’s Holiday Prep with Gary Starr
In this episode of Retail Therapy, ARA CEO Paul Zahra sits down with Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services at Australia Post, to explore how the iconic postal
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
ER Support
Peak Season on-demand webinars
From managing safe and compliant end-of-year celebrations to recruiting and onboarding Christmas casuals, these webinars provide practical strategies to help your business thrive through the holiday season.
Employment Relations:
End of Year Party Management
Employment Relations:
Recruitment – Tips and Tricks for Christmas casuals
Australia Post's
2025 Christmas Lodgement Dates
Australia Post’s recommended last lodgement dates are based on where you’re sending from and sending to.
Encouraging your customers to shop early will give their deliveries the best chance of arriving in time for Christmas.
Thank you to our Hub Partner
