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Boxing Day frenzy comes to the Adelaide’s suburbs, but not all retailers are trading

South Australians have more opportunities close to home to grab Boxing Day sales bargains due to changed state trading laws allowing suburban centres to ply their wares for the first time. TAKE OUR POLL

Jodee Bills at her store SWISH Homewares at Westfield West Lakes, ahead of opening on Boxing Day. Picture: MATT LOXTON
Jodee Bills at her store SWISH Homewares at Westfield West Lakes, ahead of opening on Boxing Day. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Shoppers are expected to turn out in force for Boxing Day sales in Rundle Mall, where stores will open from 9am for the first time.

Adelaide’s major shopping precinct, which has previously enjoyed a near-monopoly on Boxing Day trading, is still predicted to draw huge numbers despite suburban shopping centres being allowed to open.

Rundle Mall Management Authority general manager Johanna Williams told The Advertiser shopping in the city had become a Boxing Day tradition for tens of thousands of South Australians.

“Boxing Day is always one of the busiest days of the year in Rundle Mall with hundreds of exciting promotions, discounts of up to 70 per cent off and bargains to be had across fashion, cosmetics, accessories, homewares and electrical goods from international, national and independent brands,” she said.

“This year we’ve got two extra hours of shopping with stores opening at 9am.

“As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm, so we think there’ll be plenty of South Australians forgoing the sleep-in to capture a bargain or two.”

Shoppers will be offered a greater choice today after the State Government issued a special exemption, which expands Boxing Day shopping beyond just the CBD, Glenelg and Harbour Town.

But while major department store chains like Myer and David Jones are trading, smaller retailers may have chosen to remain shut despite the centres being open.

Westfield spokeswomen Lucy Andolfatto said the group was excited to be opening its three centres in SA — Marion, West Lakes and Tea Tree Plaza — for the first time today.

“We are glad to be able to offer customers big discounts at their local centres,” she said.

“I can confidently say majority of our retailers have chosen to trade and will be offering discounts.”

She said there would be roaming entertainment and giveaways across all three centres but it was a day for “retailers to shine”.

She advised shoppers to check store trading hours.

SA-owned family business Swish Homewares is trading for the first time on Boxing Day across its two outlets at Westfield Marion and TTP.

Owner Jodee Bills said it was the 12th Christmas for the business, which started on Semaphore Rd, and subsequently moved to the two centres three years ago.

“It was optional to trade today but really you have to be in if you want to have a piece of the pie,” she said.

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“Personally I think Boxing Day is for family, but it’s exciting from a trade perspective.

“It’s unknown territory because we haven’t done it before, so hopefully it’s a good day and we’ll have specials in store.”

Burnside Village, which has the state’s only Zara fashion store, will be open today.

Burnside Village Centre Management marketing manager Renee Tiller said the centre fully supported extended trading and deregulation.

“We are excited to be open for our first ever Boxing Day sales. On Boxing Day we have planned a few activities to surprise and delight our customers,” she said.

Zara Australia and New Zealand communications manager Samira Cherry said the store would be open and customers could make the most of Boxing Day offers.

SA Independent Retailers Association chief executive Colin Shearing, who is opposed to extended trading hours, said it was a “waste of time” for smaller businesses to open in the suburbs.

“We have been telling smaller retailers within shopping centres to seek legal advice on their lease arrangements.

“The new trading hours are a massive disadvantage to smaller retailers. This won’t grow the pie, it will only distribute it more widely,” he said.

Helen Potter, who is mum to sons Ky, 11, and Jett, 9, had a sneak preview of some of the sale items available from Myer at Westfield Marion.

“I usually shop at the stocktake sale on December 27 as Marion isn’t usually open on the 26,” she said.

“I go every year and usually make a full day of it. I love that Marion is open this year and I will definitely go and check out the bargains on Boxing Day.”

— additional reporting by Anna Vlach

BARGAINS ON OFFER TODAY

MYER

■ Up to 50 per cent off selected women’s clothing from brands including Cue, Veronika Maine, Sportscraft, Marcs, David Lawrence, Taking Shape, Seed and French Connection.

■ Up to 50 per cent off selected women’s footwear.

■ Up to 50 per cent off selected handbags, jewellery and women’s wallets

■ 40 per cent off the original price of Revlon.

■ Up to 50 per cent off a range of children’s clothing.

■ 30 per cent off business shirts from brands including Blaq, Van Heusen Slim and Calvin Klein.

20/12/18 - Helen Potter and her son Jett, 9 (glasses) getting a sneak peek at the sales in Myer Marion. Photo Naomi Jellicoe
20/12/18 - Helen Potter and her son Jett, 9 (glasses) getting a sneak peek at the sales in Myer Marion. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

■ Up to 50 per cent off menswear by Kenji, Blaq, Trent Nathan and Reserve.

■ 40 per cent off a great range of towels from brands including Vue, Australian House & Garden, Heritage and Sheridan.

■ Up to 70 per cent off cooksets by Tefal, Circulon, Jamie Oliver Tefal, Essteele and Anolon.

■ Up to 60 per cent off small electrical appliances from brands including Nutribullet, Breville, Kenwood and Sunbeam.

■ Up to 70 per cent off luggage from Samsonite, Antler, American Tourister and Monsac.

■ Up to 50 per cent off selected bed linen from brands including Vue, Australian House & Garden, Heritage and Sheridan.

■ 50 per cent off a great range of dinnerware

■ Boxing Day only: 20 per cent off MAC, 30 per cent off all children’s shoes and 50 per cent off manchester, cookware and dinnerware.

DAVID JONES

■ Up to 50 per cent off a range of Australian designers from Aje, Camilla and Marc, Thurley, KitX, Rebecca Vallance, Trelise Cooper and more.

■ 30 per cent off a great range of apparel from Jump, Kachel, Ping Pong, Yarra Trail, Yarra Women, Hammock and Vine and more.

■ 30 per cent off swimwear from Sunseeker, Milea, Zimmermann, Togs, Jantzen and more.

■ 30 per cent off a great range of full-priced intimate apparel from Calvin Klein, Berlei, Triumph, Jockey, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

■ 50 per cent off the original price of selected men’s Calvin Klein two-pack and three-pack

underwear.

■ 50 per cent off a range of men’s apparel from G-Star, Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, Ted Baker, Diesel and more.

Suits from $299 including men’s suits by Joe Black, Ted Baker, Geoffrey Beene and Studio Italia.

■ Business shirts from $29 including men’s business shirts by Van Heusen, Geoffrey Beene, Calvin Klein, Abelard and Hardy Aimes.

■ 30 per cent off all full-priced childrenswear from Indie Kids by Industrie, Bebe, Rookie by Academy, Marlo and more.

■ 20 per cent off all full-priced toys from Lego, B Toys, Microscooters, Barbie, board

games, Jellycat, Skip Hop and more.

■ 30 per cent off selected items from MAC.

■ Save 50 per cent on loose cookware from Anolon and Jamie Oliver by Tefal.

■ Up to 50 per cent off the RRP on a range of coffee machines from Nespresso.

HARRIS SCARFE

■ 50 per cent off all homewares and manchester.

■ 40 per cent off all clothing, bras, footwear, sporting, sleepwear and underwear

25 per cent off all electrical.

■ Doorbuster Deals (Available for the first two hours of trade in-store only): Tontine 2pk I Need An Everyday Pillow $7.95, Phase 2 1500 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set Queen Bed, $69.95

WHAT’S OPEN TODAY

WESTFIELD CENTRES (Marion, Tea Tree Plaza and West Lakes): 9am-5pm

■ RUNDLE MALL: 9am-5pm

■ BURNSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE: 9am-5pm

■ HARBOUR TOWN ADELAIDE, WEST BEACH: 9am-5pm

■ ARMADA ARNDALE, KILKENNY: 9am-5pm

■ COLONNADES SHOPPING CENTRE, NOARLUNGA CENTRE: 9am-5pm

■ ELIZABETH CITY CENTRE: 9am-5pm

■ MUNNO PARA SHOPPING CITY, SMITHFIELD: 9am-5pm (Kmart, Coles and Foodland)

■ GOLDEN GROVE VILLAGE: 9am-5.30pm

■ CASTLE PLAZA, EDWARDSTOWN: 9am-5pm

■ JETTY RD, GLENELG: 9am-5pm

*Check store websites for trading hours; some retailers especially within suburban centres may have chosen not to trade.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/boxing-day-frenzy-comes-to-the-adelaides-suburbs-but-not-all-retailers-are-trading/news-story/a481f59a50fb1e4f5ab33f5b6c56d64a