South Australians expected to spend $135 million in Boxing Day sales
South Australian shoppers will be hitting the streets in droves on Thursday to spend up big in the Boxing Day sales.
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South Australian shoppers are expected to spend $135 million at Boxing Day sales, about $2 million more than last year.
Boxing Day marks the start of what is predicted to be a national $18 billion post-Christmas spend, with South Australians forecast to spend $1.22 billion, up 2.5 per cent from 2018 and ahead of the national forecast of a 2.3 per cent increase in spending.
Shoppers across the state can hit the stores from 9am today in what is expected to be the biggest trading event of the year.
It will be the second year that widespread shopping has been allowed in SA’s suburbs, beyond just Glenelg and Harbour Town.
Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said while SA has historically been the most restrictive in terms of permitting Boxing Day trade, ongoing moves by the state government to liberalise trading hours would help retailers.
Mr Zimmerman said this was more important than ever considering the difficult trading conditions that have been well-documented during 2019 including Harris Scarfe going into voluntary administration and the collapse of menswear chain Ed Harry.
“In the face of softer than ideal conditions, and facing competition from online merchants, retailers need all the help they can get – and letting them trade when consumers actually want to shop is a good thing,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Treasurer Rob Lucas expected shoppers to hit the streets in droves, especially following the recent success of the Black Friday sales.
“I think last year gave an indication of the strong support (for extended trading on Boxing Day) and people will vote with their feet again this year,” he said.
“Every other state has huge Boxing Day sales, yet we have a crazy system here in SA where businesses have to come cap in hand to the Minister and ask to trade.
“In suburban retail centres, some shops don’t want to open and no one is forcing them to, but the vast majority say it’s a big day for their business.”
SA Independent Retailers chief executive Colin Shearing said the extended trading hours over the Christmas and New Year period and extra trading days would see small businesses suffer.
Mr Shearing said Adelaide provided no demand for the extended trade.
“People don’t eat more or buy more if shops are open longer,” he said.
Rundle Mall general manager Johanna Williams is expecting thousands of shoppers to turn out in force.
“We know South Australians love a great sale and shopping the Boxing Day sales in the city is a tradition for thousands of savvy shoppers,” she said.
“Last year it was our busiest day of the year, so we’re expecting another fantastic day of shopping with retailers offering discounts of up to 70 per cent on the widest range of fashion, accessories, homewares and electrical.”
Pilates instructor Lisa Paulino, 28, and her friend Jasmine Spotwood, 28, who works in sales, had a sneak peek at the David Jones offers. Ms Paulino said she usually bought shoes and clothes in the Boxing Day sales.
“I shop online and in stores but going into the store has the advantage of getting to try things on and they have more (sales) stock,” she said.
Nowa the Label is a fashion streetwear concept store that opened in Rundle Mall early this year and is gearing up for its first ever Boxing Day sale.
Across the year, trade has been building well for the new store, with new customers discovering the store’s locally designed and sustainably produced streetwear range, as well as its international brands.
Owner Fahmedul Haque said that momentum culminated in the store’s busiest day ever on Black Friday – almost triple an average Friday.
“For Boxing Day, we are expecting to at least double to triple the Black Friday result,” he said.
Head of strategy and content Jorgia Dunn said the sale offered buyers the chance to pick up unique items that could not be found anywhere else in SA.
“It will be the biggest sale we’ve ever had, we don’t typically discount international brands but we will be for Boxing Day,” she said.
“We really love finding brands with cool stories, that offer something new and different.”
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DAVID JONES
David Jones is offering up to 50 per cent off a range of fashion, shoes, accessories, homewares, bedding and electrical, including
50 per cent off the RRP of KitchenAid KSM160 mixers.
MYER
In store and online, Myer customers can get blockbuster offers across the most desirable brands and products, including $500 off LG 75” Ultra HD LED Smart TVs, huge savings across BOSE, Sony and JBL with 15 per cent off; and 50 per cent off big name homewares including Maxwell and Williams, Sheridan and Tefal.
JB HI-FI
JB HI-FI is offering 20 per cent off its entire range, including deals on Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, Garmin, Fitbit, Microsoft, Go Pro, HP, LG, Beats, Sonos, Bose and Dyson.
COUNTRY ROAD
Aussie fashion icon Country Road is offering up to 50 per cent off selected styles.
CUE
Clothing label Cue is giving customers a further 20 per cent off already reduced styles.
SABA
Australian fashion brand SABA is offering up to 40 per cent off a selected range of clothing, as
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GROUPON
Global e-commerce giant Groupon has extra specials on thousands of already discounted deals across the website, including products, food and drink, health and beauty, travel and things to do.
JAGGAD
Active apparel brand Jaggad is offering up to 50 per cent off selected styles online and instore, on items including tees, shorts, sweats, tops, tights and jackets.
PETER ALEXANDER
Sleepwear giant Peter Alexander has up to 50 per cent off more than 750 styles, as well as 30 per cent off Glasshouse Fragrances.
WITTNER
Wittner is offering up to 70
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BEST AND LESS
Best and Less is slashing the prices on a wide range of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing as well as homewares – including hot buys under $15 in women’s dresses, sleepwear, underwear and swimwear.
NINE WEST
Nine West is offering 30 per cent off full-priced items in store and online for a limited time only.
NESPRESSO
Until January 31, Nespresso has $100 cash back on all Vertuo Line machines, with a Limited Edition navy blue and matte white fitting only recently launched.