Christmas shoppers to splurge $1 billion in last-minute gift grab

Victorians will splash more than $1 billion in an around-the-clock shopping frenzy in the final days before Christmas.

Victorians will splash more than $1 billion in an around-the-clock shopping frenzy in the final days before Christmas.

Chadstone and Highpoint shopping centres will remain open all night on Sunday in a marathon trading spree stretching between 32 and 34 hours.

Hundreds of thousands of shoppers will descend on the centres, and stores around the state, in a last-minute gift grab.

They will tip about $1.4 billion into retailers’ coffers on Sunday and Monday.

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Emma Burnside and Keiran King hit Chadstone Shopping Centre. Picture: Josie Hayden

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said trading had been “on the softer side” throughout December, until it exploded this week.

“On Thursday, the shops flew,” he said. “A lot of the ­offices closed and the school holidays started, so people had more time and tended to focus more on their Christmas shopping.

“From Sunday, you will see a complete change in what people are buying. Instead of buying parcels and presents, people will put an emphasis on food and their table.”

Model Shanina Shaik and her husband DJ Ruckus doing their Christmas shopping at Chadstone.

Forecasts from the association and Roy Morgan predict that Australians will have spent more than $20 billion on food between November 9 and Christmas Eve — and $51.5 billion overall.

The supermarket shop is likely to cost more for those hosting Christmas lunch or dinner, with drought forcing up the price of some meats.

Eateries at the major shopping centres are also expecting an influx of people as they power through their shopping spree.

Axil cafe at Chadstone is set to sell more than 5000 coffees during the 34-hour non-stop trade period.

About 100,000 people passed through the centre’s doors Friday, with even more hitting the shops on Saturday.

Centre manager Michael Whitehead said the Christmas chaos would peak each day between noon and 1pm.

He urged shoppers wanting to avoid the crowds to hit the centre outside standard trading hours.

“People are coming to enjoy the experience and some even enjoy the crowds,” Mr Whitehead said.

“If you’re looking to get in and get out, take advantage of the wide hours.

“If you want to come and enjoy the hustle and bustle, come during the middle part of the day.”

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