Mackay retailers get massive injection from Boxing Day sales

Boxing Day has come and gone but that doesn’t mean the sales have stopped. Find out where the best deals are.

Mackay business leaders have heralded the 2021 Boxing Day sales to be the biggest in the past 20 years with Mackay business owners eager to be a part of it.

Mackay Chamber of Commerce president Geoff O’Connor said the prediction was on the back of a strong 12 months in Mackay that highlighted the community’s willingness to adapt and support each other in the midst of the Covid-19 uncertainty.

“The small business community in Mackay is incredibly tight-knit,” Mr O’Connor said.

“A lot of people bought local.”

Mr O’Connor pointed to the success of the recent Black Friday sales in Mackay showing the flexibility of local businesses.

“Black Friday was phenomenal, most businesses adapted online and captured new markets,” Mr O’Connor said.

Mackay Fishing Club's Jarrod Knox and Dave Parnell taking advantage of Tackle World's sales ahead of Boxing Day. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Mr O’Connor said capturing the online market was crucial for some businesses as the borders opened up and close contact to Covid-19 became inevitable.

Mr O’Connor said businesses had spent the past two years preparing for Covid, but was concerned for businesses who may not be able to adjust to no contact trades.

But Mackay shoppers are eager to get out and support local businesses with residents expected to take advantage of this year’s Boxing Day sale extravaganza.

Caneland Central centre manager Simon De Barro said his centre alone was prepared to have more than 25,000 shoppers on Boxing Day.

“The overall retail performance of our centre has been promising, and we expect this trend to continue through to the Boxing Day sales,” Mr De Barro said.

“Boxing Day is typically one of our busiest days of the year and we are anticipating the same for this coming Boxing Day, with the majority of stores expected to be running strong sales.”

With borders opening up, Mr De Barro said he wanted to assure customers the centre was taking all necessary precautions against the spread of Covid-19.

Craig and Zane Harrold taking advantage of Mackay Tackle World's sales ahead of Boxing Day. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“The impact of Covid-19 in our region has been relatively low this year and subsequently we‘ve seen an increase in local spend which has been very positive for the region,” Mr De Barro said.

“As borders open up, we will welcome the tourism industry back to Mackay, and as always, encourage all our customers to shop Covid-safely.”

Mount Pleasant Centre was also expecting a huge turnout with centre manager Cathy Sullivan saying there were a number of Boxing Day sales throughout the store.

“We should see a lot of happy shoppers snapping up something at a great price,” Ms Sullivan said.

Harvey Norman Mackay electrical proprietor Ben Flanagan said market trends for the year showed consumer’s preference for life’s nicer things.

“With more people staying at home they have been buying all the creature comforts and updating and upgrading their household goods,” Mr Flanagan said.

“Anything from new TVs, new ovens and cooktops, coffee machines, big refrigerators, food processors, juicers and air fryers.”

Harvey Norman Mackay's Jason Tam showcasing the goods ahead of the 2021 Boxing Day sales. Picture: Contributed

While Mr Flanagan said he predicted customers would be looking for the “big ticket items”.

“[People] looking at taking advantage of the savings to upgrade any old appliances that are on their last legs, think washing machines, dishwashers, heat pump dryers,” he said.

Officeworks Mackay store business manager Scott Marlow had similar predictions, saying consumers would likely be looking to upgrade on technology or get a headstart on back to school shopping.

“With customers focusing on their health, particularly over the summer and New Year, we are seeing increased demand for items such as smart watches and wireless earbuds that help to track or optimise their health and fitness journey,” Mr Marlow said.

“Our price beat guarantee means we offer the lowest prices for shoppers this Boxing Day and all year round.

“We encourage savvy shoppers to shop around and if they find a lower priced stocked item with a competitor, we’ll not only match it, but we’ll beat it by five per cent.”

Zane Harrold taking advantage of the sales ahead of Boxing Day. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Top sales for Mackay

BEST AND LESS

The sales at Best and Less will run for four days between December 26 until December 30.

The best deals include:

- Women’s fashion tops: $12

- Women’s select dresses: $18

- Women’s infamous One Size Fits All: Three for $15

- Women’s fashion shorts: $10

- Adults organic tees and tanks: Two for $12

- Kids AFL/NRL select jackets: 50 per cent off

- Kids 0-6 print tees: $2

- Girls 0-6 woven dresses: $12

- Baby 00000-18/24m select print bodysuits: $3

- Baby 00000-18/24m select print rompers: $5

BIG W

Big W has started its Boxing Day sales early with the discounts kicking off from Tuesday December 21.

Some of the best deals include:

- Dyson V7 Origin $449 (save $250)

- iRobot 606 Roomba $279 (save $220)

- Breville Duo-Tempo Pro coffee machine $279 save $150

- Philips Essential Airfryer XL $319 Save $80

- Half-price Russell Hobbs toaster and kettle

- Half-price Jason and Tontine quilts and pillows

- Half-price on CoverGirl, Maybelline, Nivea and Nude by Nature

TACKLEWORLD

Tackleworld Mackay is eager to have you out and in the water this summer with some epic sales kicking off from December 26 and running until January 4.

- Diana electric rod and reel combo $1099. Save $300

- Spearguns from $99

- Spend $50 or more in store on Boxing Day and receive a free spool of 50lb x 150 yards of braid (valued at $39.95, limited stock)

A Tackle World spokesman said to keep an eye out in store because some items would be discounted up to 50 per cent off.

The spokesman said some of the most popular items this Christmas had been gift vouchers, long sleeve sun shirts, shark bands and a fin, mask and snorkel kit which was priced at $89, saving shoppers $36.

Tackle World employees Clinton Hassan and Hayden Watt preparing for the Boxing Day sales, December 22, 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

PRICELINE

Priceline will be kicking off its sales early with markdowns on skincare, makeup and tanning products starting from Christmas Day and going until January 5.

- Half-price Nude by Nature makeup, St. Tropez tanning, Sukin, Thin Lizzy, Revlon foundation

- 40 per cent off hair care such as Fudge, OGX

- Half-price Fragrance for Her, including Yves Saint Laurent, DKNY, GUESS and Calvin Klein

- Half-price Fragrance for Him, including Ralph Lauren, Montblanc, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace Man, and Coach

- Half-price men’s and women’s Gift Packs including Natio, L’Oreal Paris and Pretty Botanicals

A Priceline spokeswoman said the most popular line of the year was No7 with products “flying out the door”, and the Line Correcting Serum ranked in the company’s top five bestsellers for November.

TARGET

Target has already launched into its end of year sales with markdowns beginning on December 20 and more rolling out on Boxing Day.

Big deals to look out for include:

- 50 per cent off Tontine

- Up to 50 per cent off Lego (online only)

- Up to 40 per cent off selected big beauty brands

- 30 per cent off selected nursery brands

- 20 per cent off electrical Brands, including Sunbeam, Russell Hobbs, Breville, Homedics, Remington and VS Sassoon

- 20 per cent off swimwear, tees, tanks and shorts

- 20 per cent off selected footwear and accessories

- 20 per cent off sleepwear

- Gaming and tech deals

- Toy deals

A Target spokeswoman said the retailer’s toy range had been one of the most popular sections for 2021 with Disney Shop, Lego and Barbie being fan favourites.

But she said she expected it would be the apparel range that would be the biggest hit on Boxing Day.

“Our stylish summer apparel range has something for everyone in the family, and features quality fabrics designed to stand up to the test of everyday life,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as Mackay retailers get massive injection from Boxing Day sales