Cairns Central, Earlville Shopping Town, DFO Cairns reveal spike in pre-Christmas spending
In what Far North retailers say is shaping up to be the strongest sales year since before Covid, Cairns shoppers have been spending up a storm in shopping centres and at small businesses.
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In what Far North retailers say is shaping up to be the strongest sales year since before Covid, Cairns shoppers have been spending up a storm in shopping centres and at small businesses.
From books and boardgames to fragrances and trading cards, Cairns retail managers have also shared the most popular gift items this festive season.
Cairns Central
With just two days of pre-Christmas shopping remaining, Cairns Books owner Mark Steedman said his store had recorded its largest year since the pandemic.
“It’s been through the roof, we’re way up on last year, which was of course affected by Cyclone Jasper, but this week has been incredible,” Mr Steedman said.
“It was a bit late this year – it looks like everyone waited until Black Friday to get into the Christmas spirit.”
The independent bookseller, located in Cairns Central, said this year was shaping up to be the store’s biggest Christmas ever.
“This looks like it’s going to be our busiest Christmas ever and we’ve still got two and a bit days to go, but we’re on track for record this year, back to pre-Covid levels,” he said.
“People have been telling me for 11 years people don't buy books in store, but we seem to be doing all right. Books are still a great Christmas present.”
Mr Steedman said this season’s bestsellers have had a local flavour with Aussie’s Tim Winton and Dr Karl leading sales.
“The big sellers this year are Tim Winton’s new book Juice, Dr Karl’s biography: A Periodic Tale has been huge and Sally Rooney’s, Intermezzo has gone gangbusters as well,” he said.
Mr Steedman said his top gift recommendation was Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret by Australian author Benjamin Stephenson.
“He writes Agatha Christie style thrillers, but he’s really funny; really good and really witty,” he said.
Department store Myer has also experienced an influx of customers, according to Cairns store manager Sharon Taylor, who said perfumes and quirky gifts were popular gift choices.
“This year, fragrances have become highly sought after, alongside niche gifts like board games,” Ms Taylor said.
“Food, homewares, and menswear continue to be enduring favourites, while festive fashion for the holiday season is flying off the shelves as soon as it arrives.”
Smithfield Shopping Centre
In a bumper year across the board, EB Games outlets in Cairns have been swamped with customers, but staff says they had braced themselves for a busy silly season.
Senior sales associate Kirsty Brabrook said teams had been ready for a hectic shopping period, but were still surprised at how many people walked through the doors.
“It’s been absolutely insane with the last couple days before Christmas,” Ms Brabrook said.
“It’s been really good but we were also caught a bit off guard because were expecting it (to be busy) but not like this.”
She said the most popular items were video game consoles including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
“We’ve had a really good solid couple of deals on consoles at the moment that were specifically for Black Friday, that we’ve kept on because they’ve been doing so well,” she said.
“It’s good to see that uptick in gaming and (people’s) excitement again.”
In addition to consoles, Ms Brabrook said trading cards were back in popularity, with cards for anime show One Piece selling out consistently.
“It’s a really nice healthy mix between young and old coming through, so you’ve got adults who’ve still got some (trading cards) and there’s that nostalgia, and then kids who are excited for trading cards,” she said.
While jewellery items were still popular this season, Istvan Kormos, owner of Kormos Jewller Smithfield said the cost of living crisis had meant customers were being more budget conscious when it came to big ticket items.
“Christmas (trading) started all right, but you can see the cost of living pressure on customers, who are going after the lower price point items,” Mr Kormos said.
“We have such a wide range of jewellery and giftware as well, but generally speaking silver jewellery and lower price point items are the most popular right now.”
He said most popular gifts this year were earrings and necklaces.
“We are a manufacturing jeweller as well, so around Christmas, repairs always pick up. That’s always busy,” he said.
“But there’s always a bit more pressure on us around Christmas time.”
Earlville Shopping Town
In classic Aussie style, sportswear and sporting goods have proved popular Christmas gifts, with Rebel Sports Earlville customer Service manager Seiji Gabey confirming the store had recorded a busy week.
“I think everyone’s trying to get in and out as quickly as possible and get their Christmas shopping done before Christmas Eve,” Mr Gabey said.
“It’s been very good end to the year.”
Mr Gabey said the most popular items so far were sporting apparel and backyard games.
“We’ve been getting a lot of shoes through to just random gifts with backyard games and jerseys up through men’s and kids in particular apparel,” he said.
“In Cairns, it’s a pretty diverse range supporters, so we don’t really have a lot of one team that sells out ore than others, but we stock a lot more NRL in terms of Broncos and Cowboys and that sells out really well,” he said.
“Matildas always do really well in our store. At the moment we’ve just got the home tops and there might be a goalkeeper jersey as well.”
Despite a slow start to the festive shopping season, Bright Eyes national retail manager Robin Miller said the Earlville store, which stocks eyewear, headwear and footwear had enjoyed consistent traffic in the lead up to Christmas.
“It’s about the same (traffic) as last year at this stage, but we haven’t finished yet, our busiest day is today, as is every retailer, right the way through to Boxing Day,” Ms Miller said.
“We’ve got something for everyone in the family from eyewear, footwear and headwear in designer brands to affordable prices.”
Among the most popular sales items were designer brand sunglasses.
“Sunglasses are always a necessity,” she said.
“We’ve got all the big names; Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Versace and Mangrove Jacks which is more affordable.”
Mount Sheridan Plaza
With Christmas parties and end-of-year events in full swing, beauty salon Pacific Beauty Studio has recorded a bustling year for the books.
Studio director Sam Tao, who runs the store with his wife Dee Lorbliayao, said the end of the year was always hectic.
“During the Christmas period we are super busy. It’s been good for business,” Mr Tao said.
“Christmas is always a rush, everyone’s waiting for the last minute, so always a rush at the end of the year.
“Our regulars know what’s happening each year around Christmas so they book ahead so they don’t get disappointed.”
While the store stocks a range of beauty products, Mr Tao said their beauty services were always popular.
“This time of year everyone is not much interested with products but with service,” he said.
“They’re doing eyelash extensions, manicures, pedicures, nail sets to get ready for Christmas and New Years.”
DFO Cairns
Summer fashions have been flying off the shelves this season, with clothing outlet Edge recording its biggest sales day on Saturday.
“It was really hectic, like majorly busy,” sales assistant Claire Gully said.
“Basically all our shorts, our boardies for hot weather are flying of the shelves.”
She said men’s button up shirts were also a popular sales item and shared her top gift recommendations for last minute shoppers.
“If it was for a dude, I’d get him some boardies, some linen shorts because it’s cool in the hot weather and a t-shirt, kinda like singlets or a button up,” she said.
“And then for women, probably a nice dress or shorts.”
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