How to survive the 2018 Christmas retail rush
There’s only three days left to do your Christmas shopping, but don’t panic you will get it done. Here’s some simple tips to make your life easier.
VIC News
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Plan ahead, stick to your budget, take rest breaks and don’t panic.
That’s the key messages from retail experts to survive the final days of the Christmas shopping calendar.
Melbourne Central regional general manager Leigh Dunn said committing to a budget, rather than scattergun gift buying, reduced the risk of a credit card bill hangover in January.
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“In our family, for children it’s ‘something you want, something you need, something to read’,” Ms Dunn said.
Shopping kids-free was fastest, as there were fewer distractions or “pester power”.
National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb advised customers to check extended trading hours, and research what to buy.
“With almost all retailers having online sites you can see what items they have on offer and compare prices across businesses,” Ms Lamb said.
Shoppers could also consider using public transport to avoid busy car parks.
Westfield’s Victorian regional manager, Charlie Rimmer, said the best times to snare a car park were usually before 10am and after 4pm.
Chadstone Shopping Centre general manager Fiona Mackenzie suggested visiting early in the day or late at night to avoid the biggest crowds.
Highpoint Shopping Centre has a free “Silver Top Santas” taxi service for residents from surrounding suburbs to help ease the parking crush.
HORDES IN LAST-MINUTE DASH FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on shopping centres this weekend, taking advantage of extended trading hours for a last-minute Christmas gift buying rush.
Chadstone and Highpoint, shopping centres are expecting a combined 635,000 people through their doors from today until their doors shut on Christmas Eve.
The National Retail Association is forecasting that a total of $2.1 billion will flow into tills statewide over the three days.
Westfield’s Victorian regional manager Charlie Rimmer said sales of gift cards, would be “massive”.
“Movie, restaurant, massage and beauty vouchers are good for people who are difficult to buy for,” he said.
“Nostalgic toys such as My Little Pony and Polly Pocket are popular.
“Technology is big — drones, remote-controlled toys and wearable technology such as Fitbits and smart watches.
“Personalised gifts with a name, message or initials are another trend.”
At David Jones department stores, bestsellers for children included Lego, Micro Scooters, Disney sets, and classic card games.
Fragrances were the most common beauty gift.
Almost a third of shoppers pick up gifts in the week before Christmas, many leaving purchases until Christmas Eve.
Chadstone hopes to attract about 360,000 customers from today until Christmas Eve closing time.
“It’s the real last-minute frenzy to tick off the Christmas list, but we are also amazed how many people come in for a meal and to spend time with friends,” general manager Fiona Mackenzie said.
Foot traffic this month was up 8 per cent on that last year.
To get shoppers in the festive spirit, the centre has scheduled choral performances three times daily. It also has a Santa photography set that features “falling snow” on the hour and talking reindeer.
Highpoint’s manager Ryan Ling said retailers were hoping for good Christmas sales. The centre is bracing for about 275,000 visitors from today until closing its doors on Christmas Eve.
“The Black Friday sale (last month) was such a big event and captured a lot of sales early and we have maintained momentum,” Mr Ling said.
Westfield’s Knox, Fountain Gate and Doncaster shopping centres are “making it snow” several times a day near their Santa set areas.
Marathon final trading sessions are scheduled at Chadstone and Highpoint.
Chadstone is open from 8am today until midnight, and then for 34 hours straight from 8am tomorrow until 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Highpoint is open from 9am until midnight today and then for 32 hours straight from 9am on Sunday until 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Mr Ling said the marathon shopping event was particularly popular with young singles who enjoyed the social aspect, and young mothers who appreciated the flexible shopping hours.
Husbands and partners tend to be out in force in a final shopping dash after lunchtime on Christmas Eve.
SPECIAL BUBS GET A SANTA SURPRISE
Santa has ensured that the smallest and most precious parcels don’t miss out on a sprinkling of Christmas magic.
Photographer Stephanie Brebner unexpectedly gave birth to daughter Abigail three months early at the Mercy Hospital for Women just weeks before Christmas three years ago.
Every year since she has brought her camera into the hospital to capture the first Santa photo of the newest and sickest babies, with her husband, Dean, donning the big red man’s costume to complete the scene.
Elaina Keiller, just nine days old, was one of 40 babies photographed yesterday in the neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery.
Mrs Brebner said after spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the hospital after Abigail’s birth, she and her husband wanted to lift the spirits of families whose Christmas bundle of joy had been delivered too early.
“We know that being in that environment can be very isolating and stressful, especially during the holiday period,” she said. “It was nice to be able to share our story and tell them there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“Abigail is three and doing really well, so we hope her story provided them with some hope that their children will continue to grow and thrive.”
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