All is calm, all is bright, Boxing Day sales a big delight
WITH the biggest trading day of the year upon us, retailers across the country are looking for a substantial trade this Boxing Day as the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) predict Australians to spend almost $2.4 billion in just 24 hours.
With the ARA and Roy Morgan forecasting consumers to spend a total of $17.9 billion nationwide from December 26, 2017 to January 15, 2018, Boxing Day traditionally signifies the start of the post-Christmas sales period.
Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA said although pre-Christmas sales are usually very strong for retailers, Boxing Day is the pinnacle of retail trade globally, with online and physical retailers preparing for this day months in advance.
“Our annual research with Roy Morgan has identified a 2.9 percent increase in post-Christmas sales this year, and with Boxing Day marking the start of the post-Christmas trading period, retailers across the country are excited that this day has finally arrived,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“Following the back of our post-Christmas predictions with Roy Morgan, the ARA’s analytics team have estimated Aussie shoppers to spend almost $2.4 billion this Boxing Day in-store and online.”
With the NSW Government finally legislating Boxing Day trade across all parts of NSW this year, the ARA expect NSW retailers to see the biggest Boxing Day sales across the nation.
“Due to the new deregulated trading hours in NSW, we predict NSW consumers to spend over $766 million and forecast Victorians to spend roughly $745 million this Boxing Day,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“Physical retailers should be prepared for an onslaught in foot-traffic and online retailers will need to ensure their online functionalities are strong enough for the increased website traffic they will receive across their online and social platforms in the next 24 hours.”
With new global giants entering the Australian retail market, the ARA believe local retailers are putting their front foot forward, adapting to consumer demand and ensuring they are in-line with the increased competitive market.
“As convenience is key for today’s consumers, retailers who have ensured their physical stores are accurately staffed will not only thrive today, but see further growth in the new year,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“Although Boxing Day is known as the biggest day of the year for retail discounts, sales will continue beyond December 26 into the new year, giving shoppers plenty of opportunities to grab a good bargain or two.”
ARA and Roy Morgan Research post-Christmas sales predictions
December 26, 2017 – January 15, 2018
2017/2018 Post-Christmas sales growth by category
|
State |
2016 Post-Christmas actual results ($mil) |
2017 Forecast Post-Christmas sales ($mil) |
Predicted Growth |
|
FOOD |
7027 |
7267 |
3.40% |
|
HH GOODS |
3015 |
3075 |
1.98% |
|
APPAREL |
1381 |
1400 |
1.33% |
|
DEPARTMENT STORES |
1044 |
1062 |
1.73% |
|
OTHER |
2465 |
2564 |
4.02% |
|
HOSPITALITY |
2455 |
2525 |
2.85% |
|
NATIONAL |
17387 |
17892 |
2.90% |
[ARA / Roy Morgan]
2017/2018 Post-Christmas sales growth by state
|
State |
2016 Post-Christmas actual results ($mil) |
2017 Forecast Post-Christmas sales ($mil) |
Predicted Growth |
|
NSW |
5593 |
5828 |
4.20% |
|
VIC |
4384 |
4528 |
3.28% |
|
QLD |
3501 |
3566 |
1.85% |
|
SA |
1139 |
1171 |
2.86% |
|
WA |
1927 |
1935 |
0.39% |
|
TAS |
346 |
356 |
2.91% |
|
NT |
178 |
180 |
1.19% |
|
ACT |
320 |
329 |
2.83% |
|
NATIONAL |
17387 |
17892 |
2.90% |
[ARA / Roy Morgan]
About the Australian Retailers Association:
Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.
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