Retailers get their eggs out for Easter

WITH two weeks to go until Easter, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) says consumers are already filling their shopping baskets with all sorts of Easter treats.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said although many retailers push their Easter products just after the new year, the bulk of Easter sales do not occur until the fortnight before Good Friday.

“Even though the Easter sales period is shorter than the Christmas period, this holiday is still a strong trading event for retailers as many shoppers over cater for their Easter lunch and the Easter holiday period.

“The best-selling items for this holiday usually include hot cross buns, seafood, fresh produce, liquor and of course all things chocolate,” Mr Zimmerman said.

As most retailers are unable to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday there will also be an increase in general food and beverage sales as consumers stock up on the holiday essentials and entertaining supplies before the shutdown period.

With a number of bakeries creating delicious new variations on the classic hot cross buns, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses predicts around 180 million buns will be sold this Easter, a 20 percent increase from last year.

“Easter is the biggest trading time of year for most Australian bakeries, and hot cross buns represent a huge segment of Easter sales,” Mr Zimmerman said.

With many Australians upholding a traditional seafood lunch for Good Friday, many seafood retailers will also be preparing for large crowds.

The Sydney Fish Market will put extended hours in place to accommodate for its single busiest trading day of the year, operating from 5.00am until 5.00pm on Good Friday. The market is expecting over 50,000 people to walk through its doors on this day, and predicts more than 500 tonnes of seafood to be traded.

General manager at Sydney Fish Market, Bryan Skepper said that although Sydney might have seen its fair share of wet weather recently, this climate is good news for seafood lovers.

“The recent rains will freshen the coastal waterways resulting in great catches and an abundance of fish in the lead up to Easter,” Skepper said.

As Easter is much later than last year, Mr Zimmerman believes many retailers will be able to pick up additional sales with new ideas and targeted offers.

“Easter is a key sales period for retailers and every year we see retailers increase their sales with innovative Easter products,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With winter fashion already being delivered in store, consumers will also start their winter shopping during the Easter trading period, to get ready for the new season’s arrival.”

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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