ARA: Pleasing page turners for pre-Christmas purchases

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) believe books are high on the wish list this Christmas, with the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicting Australians to spend over $7 million on ‘Other retailing’ during the Christmas trading period from November 15 to December 24, 2017.

The ARA believe physical and online books will be a big driver in the ‘Other retailing’ category with ARA and Roy Morgan Research projecting a 3.96% increase in sales for this category during the festive period.

The ARA’s Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman said book retailers should be prepared for a rise in sales as Dymocks’ recent Omnipoll has revealed almost three quarters (73%) of Australians love reading a good book, and a further 60% love receiving books as gifts.

“With only five weeks until the big day, we have learned that books are big this Christmas, with Dymocks’ latest survey revealing 57% of adults – roughly 10.4 million people - thinking of placing a book or two under the Christmas tree this year,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The survey also revealed that parents love to give the gift of reading, as two thirds (65%) of Australians will be wrapping up a book for their child or family friend this Christmas.”

Sophie Higgins, Head of Marketing and Merchandise at Dymocks, said there has been a seasonal surge in non-fiction titles this year with non-fiction books accounting for 50% of Dymocks sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

“Cookbooks and biographies are the most popular of the non-fiction category, with cookbook sales usually doubling during the festive season,” Ms Higgins said.

“Celebrity chefs are leading the way this Christmas, with plenty of new books to choose from including the famous Matt Moran, Donna Hay, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and Poh Ling Yeow.”

With many Australians cooking up a storm this Christmas, Ms Higgins said 2017 has also been a big year for new biographies, with Jimmy Barnes releasing his new book, Working Class Man, earlier this year.

“It’s also been a big year for sport fans with new biographies on Muhammad Ali, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge, and Jelena Dokic hitting the shelves this Christmas,” Ms Higgins said.

To view the ARA and Roy Morgan’s Annual Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions for 2017 please click here. 

 

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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