Australians expected to spend billions in Boxing Day sales

EAGER shoppers queued outside retail stores in the early hours of the morning, and they’re expected to spend billions of dollars throughout the day.

David Jones Boxing Day Sales

EAGER shoppers are expected to spend up to $2.5 billion around Australia today as they hunt bargains in the Boxing Day sales frenzy.

Major department stores set up secure zones outside their city stores ahead of Saturday’s sales as people queued outside. Myer and David Jones threw open their doors at 5am, with other retailers opening around 7am.

During the overall post-Christmas sales period, from December 26 to January 15, the Retail Council predicts almost $21 billion will be spent nationwide.

They’re certainly keen beans.

“Positive consumer confidence, coupled with record low interest rates and falling unemployment will go towards making this year’s Boxing Day and annual summer clearance sale period stronger than last year,” Retail Council chief executive Anna McPhee said.

“Stronger growth in retail activity will support the retail sector in contributing more than 4.5 per cent to GDP this year.”

The Australian Retailers Association is slightly more modest in its spending projections, but is still tipping that Australians will pour a massive $17 billion into retail coffers over the next three weeks.

Sales activity is expected to be firmer across all states compared to last year, with NSW and Victorian shoppers leading the way by forking out $954 million and $747 million respectively on Boxing Day.

Sherine Metira and her sister Miriam Eryan (right) have been coming to the David Jones Boxing Day Sales for 18 years.

All stores across NSW will be able to open on Boxing Day for the first time. Previously, laws had permitted only stores in the CBD and tourist precincts to trade.

ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said the relaxation of NSW’s trading laws could see Boxing Day sales soar well past expectations.

“It’s really an unknown quantity because shoppers and traders right across NSW have never had this opportunity,” Mr Zimmerman told AAP.

The shops were crowded this morning.

Even with those super-early Boxing Day opening times, keen shoppers queued outside popular stores to cash in on hefty discounts. Customers are most likely to buy clothing, homewares and electronics, according to the Retail Council’s survey.

Mr Zimmerman expects women’s shoes, men’s corporate wear and “seasonal products” such as fans and air conditioners to fly off the shelves.

Online sales are estimated to reach $2.7 billion, or 16 per cent of total spending, over the entire sale period.

BOXING DAY’s BIG SPENDERS

• NSW: $954m

• VIC: $747m

• QLD: $351m

• WA: $199m

• SA: $111m

• TAS: $60m

• ACT: $54m

• NT: $33m

TOTAL: $2.51b (Source: Retail Council projections)