Sunshine Plaza packed for the last-minute Christmas shopping rush
Crowds of shoppers descended on Sunshine Plaza for the final Christmas shopping marathon, as Queenslanders spend big these holidays.
Sunshine Coast
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Shoppers were on a mission this morning at Sunshine Plaza to find those final Christmas presents before the big day.
People had made their lists and were checking them twice as they rushed around the Sunshine Coast’s biggest shopping centre.
The line to meet Santa was packed with eager families waiting for the traditional photo with the big guy.
Staff in stores said it was one of the busiest days they’ve seen this year.
At QBD Books, customers were emptying the shelves as fast as staff could stock them.
Lego seemed to be popular with the shelves picked clean in Myer, Big W, KMart and Target.
Queenslanders are projected to have spent more than $14bn in the six weeks before Christmas, according to the Australian Retailers Association.
Recreational goods, books and cosmetics are the top purchases this year, with the overall spend up three per cent compared to the same period last year.
The association’s Industry Affairs Officer, Fleur Brown, said this was a promising result considering the challenging economy and budget conscious mindset of Queenslanders.
The biggest growth category this year was in small jewelry, perfume and sporting accessories, namely “small luxuries” that don’t strain the wallet.
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