Boxing Day sales bonanza a record-breaker for retailers
Record crowds forked out $790m in the Boxing Day sales as retailers struck back against online-only rivals. This comes as Labor still intends to ban retailers from opening on Boxing Day if they win the next election. DO YOU AGREE? TAKE OUR POLL
Hordes of bargain-hunters voted with their feet in a ringing endorsement of the annual Boxing Day sales Labor will ban if it wins the March state election.
Record crowds took part in the annual post-Christmas spendathon, forking out $790 million in NSW on discounted goods as bricks-and-mortar retailers struck back against online-only rivals.
Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said it was clear people continued to enjoy the day despite Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s claim there was no evidence it contributed to the economy.
“I don’t think he has any understanding of economics if he does not see the benefit here,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“If he cans Boxing Day the retailers will hit back and so will the voters, because what has been clear today is that the Australian people want this day.”
Mr Zimmerman said there were already strict laws preventing anyone from being ordered to work and many people relied on the double-time-and-a-half to pay the bills over Christmas.
Across the country, shoppers spent a record $2.5 billion at the sales.
Retailers reported foot traffic was up around the state, with long lines outside their doors before opening hours.
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St Vincent’s nurse Annie Shrestha, 35, was among the early risers outside David Jones for a first crack at the sales. She quickly blew her $250 budget after spotting “the perfect” bag and was $600 lighter by the time she caught the train home.
“Something about the atmosphere and the deals sucks you in,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“There were so many people and we had to queue up at heaps of places. I go every year but I have never seen it so busy. It was strange seeing more foot traffic than car traffic in the city.”
Craig Farrugia and partner Malika Orfanos planned to throw down an extra “couple of grand” on belated Christmas gifts for relatives.
Asked why he didn’t shop online, Mr Farrugia said there was something about the whole experience and the “lovely buzz around the city”.
“We’re Sydney people, we love the city and just coming in, the crowds and it’s just exciting,” he said.
Claudia Fydler said she liked “the joy of walking around and looking at stuff”.
Ivan Grybyniuk, 53, was exhausted after being first in line for the Boxing Day bargains.
“We stayed out all night,” he said.
Mr Daley said this month he would repeal laws giving traders the power to open on December 26 because “people should spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day with friends and families.”
He would not comment today.
BAD DAY FOR BANK BLUNDERS
Scores of angry shoppers were unable to access their Boxing Day funds after some ANZ and Westpac systems temporarily stopped working today.
The technological issues came on Australia’s busiest shopping day.
ANZ customers began to report that they could not access their funds through the ANZ App about 10am.
In a statement, ANZ Australia apologised for the technological issues.
“There are some issues with the ANZ App this morning,” they said.
“We are sorry this is happening on Boxing Day.”
But furious customers were at their wits’ end.
“Wrong day to mess up!” wrote one online.
“I will surrender the card if I am unable to shop today.”
ANZ Australia said that the app was working again at around 5pm, seven hours after the outage reportedly began.
Westpac customers also reported that EFTPOS payment processing had issues between 11.59am and 12.58pm.
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