Aussies to spend $2.3 billion on Boxing Day

AUSSIE SHOPPERS are tipped to spend $2.3 billion nationwide on Boxing Day 2015, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), with a total of $16.8 billion to be spent from December 26 to January 15, 2016.

Post-Christmas spending estimates by the ARA and Roy Morgan Research indicate sales will be four percent higher than the same period last year, evidence of Australia’s growing love affair with bargains.

“Pre-Christmas 2015 saw record sales at retail stores, and we’re expecting to see a very similar growth story play out in the post-Christmas sales,” said Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA.

“A rush of bargain hunters will be out in force on Boxing Day, with December 26 one of the biggest shopping days of the year across the country.

“Boxing Day heralds the opening of the post-Christmas sales period and is traditionally when the biggest savings can be made.

“Of course, the sales will continue beyond December 26 right through January, so for those who aren’t able to get to the shops on Boxing Day, there will be further opportunities to snap up some bargains,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Victoria will see the lion’s share of the post-Christmas shopping growth, up 5.6 percent to $4.2 billion across the 21-day period tracked by ARA and Roy Morgan, followed by NSW at 3.8 percent growth and $5.3 billion.

“All states are predicted to see healthy growth this year, as are all retail categories, although the ‘other’ category will shine particularly brightly in the post-Christmas sales with 6.1 percent growth to $2.3 billion, as will department stores at a 4.3 percent increase and $1 billion sales.”

When it comes to Boxing Day, the ARA anticipates that NSW and Victorian residents will spend the most at $750 million and $721 million respectively.

 

ARA ROY MORGAN POST-CHRISTMAS 2015/16 SALES PREDICTIONS

December 26, 2015 – January 15, 2016

 

Boxing Day 2016 sales

State	2016
NSW	$749,920,990
Victoria	$721,077,875
Queensland	$387,135,233
South Australia	$200,490,636
Western Australia	$115,976,991
Tasmania	$51,818,336
Northern Territory	$25,947,127
Australian Capital Territory	$48,957,876
NATIONAL	$2,301,325,065

(Australian Retailers Association)

 

2015/16 Post-Christmas Sales Growth by State

State	2014 post-xmas Actual ($mil)		2015/16 post-xmas Forecast ($mil)	Predicted growth (%)
NSW	5127	5321		3.8%
Victoria	3997	4220		5.6%
Queensland	3309	3419		3.3%
South Australia	1049	1083		3.3%
Western Australia	1877	1943		3.5%
Tasmania	316	324		2.6%
Northern Territory	172	176		2.1%
Australian Capital Territory	288	295		2.6%
NATIONAL	16135	16781		4.0%

(ARA/ROY MORGAN)

 

2015/16 Post-Christmas Sales Growth by Category

Category	2014 pre-xmas Actual ($mil)	2015/16 pre-xmas Forecast ($mil)	Predicted growth (%)
Food	6593	6815	3.4%
Household goods	2796	2905	3.9%
Apparel	1243	1291	3.9%
Department stores	1042	1087	4.3%
Other	2192	2326	6.1%
Hospitality	2269	2357	3.9%
NATIONAL	16135	16781	4.0%

(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 $284 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 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

ENDS