Cracker Christmas in store for NT retailers with Territorians holidaying at home expected to provide $50m spending boost

TERRITORY retailers are tipped to get a $50m COVID-19 Christmas present with spending forecast to jump 10 per cent on last year’s $500m spend.

TERRITORY retailers are tipped to get a $50m COVID-19 Christmas present with spending forecast to jump 10 per cent on last year’s $500m spend.

The Territory’s key business and hospitality sectors say they are expecting a cracker Christmas and January holiday season, with more people than ever holidaying at home spending their cash with Territory businesses.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) pre-Christmas retail sales forecast is for a robust return to shopping across the festive trading period, with $54.3bn to be spent nationally across retail stores as people prepare for the holiday season.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive officer Paul Zahra said the predictions for Christmas trading reflected the significant changes in spending patterns seen due to COVID-19, as well as responses to border controls and state restrictions.

Mary-Ellen Fitzpzatrick and friend Veronica Howson relax at the Cavanagh Hotel after shopping in the city. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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“As Australians carry the ‘stay, play and work at home’ theme into the rest of the year, it’s no surprise to see a strong performance predicted,” he said.

Hospitality NT’s Alex Bruce said the feedback he had received was that people were choosing the safety of home rather than the uncertainty of getting stuck interstate, or having to return to face an expensive stay in the Howard Springs quarantine facility.

“We have definitely heard from the restaurant members that their bookings are at two, three, four-year record highs for Christmas functions leading into December 25,” he said.

“And the pubs and clubs with bistros that do work office functions and so on are certainly saying they can see that. The late night venues are anticipating quite a busy time in the entertainment precinct.”

Chamber of Commerce NT chief operating officer Nicole Walsh said there was still uncertainty among Territorians about getting stuck interstate if they travelled and the COVID restrictions changed for the worse.

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“It’s not the leaving, it is the coming back,” she said.

“We are definitely hearing that people are opting to stay here, and with more people around that means more money being spent in the Territory this year.”