Best selling Christmas gifts revealed

Online retailers have been hit by a massive Christmas shopping surge, with businesses warning buyers to keep their eyes open or they might miss out.

The COVID-19 lockdowns has resulted in an early Christmas boom for online retailers.

Andrew Charlton, director of analytics firm AlphaBeta, said coronavirus had created a surge of online shopping around the country.

“It’s forced many people, particularly older Australians, to try shopping online for the first time — and it will continue long after the coronavirus is over,” he said.

This year’s Small Business Recovery research, commissioned by American Express, examined the impact of COVID-19 on Australian small businesses and found 52 per cent of consumers were concerned about their safety while shopping in stores.

With more than two months left to fill Christmas stockings, retailers will continue to entice shoppers into stores or online with Black Friday (November 27), Cyber Monday (November 30) and Christmas sales events.

The Nintendo Switch Neon is one of many tech toys Aussies are loving.

Online shopping website Catch.com.au chief marketing officer Ryan Gracie said the must have item for 2020 is tech gifts.

“Some of our bestsellers include smart home products, televisions and gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch,” he said.

“We’re also expecting drones to be a bestseller as Aussies look forward to exploring the great outdoors.”

Kmart has warned customers to get in early.

While Kmart divisional merchandise manager Robert Day has encouraged customers to shop for their favourite items early.

To ease the burden on big-ticket purchases, “buy now pay later” companies like Humm are offering to help cover the cost of a $30,000 transaction with interest-free repayment options from six months to 60 months.

Humm CEO Rebecca James.

“We enable consumers to pay things off over a long period of time, which makes those more expensive purchases more affordable,” Humm CEO Rebecca James said.

The company recently saw a 262 per cent increase in online sales as people splurged on whitegoods and outdoor furniture for their home renovations.

“There will be a continuous rise in the number of retailers offering promotions and deals from now until December,” Ms James said.

Originally published as Best selling Christmas gifts revealed