2022 guide: All you need to know about Toowoomba Boxing Day sales

From trading hours to some of the best bargains, here’s all you need to know about the 2022 Boxing Day sales in Toowoomba.

Grand Central Shopping Centre is set to welcome bargain hunting crowds through the doors today for Boxing Day Sales, with the majority of retailers trading between 9am-6pm.

Toowoomba centre manager Claire Torkington said it was the perfect opportunity for customers to grab a bargain and spend their Christmas gift cards.

(from left) Kim Woods with her daughters Amanda O'Day and Tania Vickers checking out the bargains at Grand Central shopping centre. Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“As the region’s premium shopping destination, our retailers are offering some terrific sales at the moment, so it’s the perfect time for a little retail therapy,” she said.

“The lead-up to Christmas saw strong customer traffic, and feedback from our retailers suggests the Boxing Day sales period will be just as popular.”

Despite the rising cost of living pressures and looming recession, data shows household spending has remained high, reporting an increase of 20.7 per cent in October, in comparison to the same time last year.

The figures recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed clothing and footwear were among the top three highest categories.

“The through-the-year rise was more moderated than previous months, which coincides with less COVID-19 Delta lockdown impacts this time last year,” ABS head of macroeconomic statistics Jacqui Vitas said.

(from left) Mary, Jayden and Mark Cuenca checking out the bargains at Grand Central shopping centre. Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Meanwhile a study conducted by online deal website Lasoo revealed almost half of all Queenslanders were overspending on everyday and luxury items.

This included 44 per cent of Queenslanders splurging on clothing and accessories, 23 per cent on liquor and 18 per cent on automotive costs, as well as pet supplies.

(from left) Therese, Lauren, Bob and RJ Dean checking out the bargains at Grand Central shopping centre. Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, retail turnover in Australia also dropped by 0.2 per cent in October this year.

This is despite the 0.6 per cent rise which occurred in August and September, making October the first month to record a drop since December 2021.

ABS head of retail statistics Ben Dorber said the first fall in nine consecutive months suggested cost of living and rate rise pressures were to blame.

“Department stores had the largest fall, down 2.4 per cent, followed by clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, down 0.6 per cent.

“Department stores fell for the second consecutive month, while clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing is down after a 2.0 per cent rise in September.

“Household goods retailing fell for the second consecutive month, down 0.5 per cent, the fifth fall in the last seven months.”

While Queensland and NSW recorded the smallest percentage falls, both states showed the biggest drop in dollars.