Boxing Day bargain hunter sales aim to bring in $1.3 billion for Australian retailers

With an expected 230,000 shoppers predicted to flock to spend $7m in Rundle Mall on Boxing Day, SA retailers are expecting big bucks.

Bargain hunters buying “little luxuries” for themselves will be big business for Australian retailers who are expected to bring in $1.3 billion this Boxing Day.

The Australian Retailers Association, in conjunction with Roy Morgan, said the projected figure was “up modestly” by 1.8 per cent on last year’s spending (about $1.28 billion)

More than 230,000 shoppers are predicted to spend $7m in Rundle Mall on Boxing Day alone, according to the Adelaide Economic Development Agency.

Sisters Mikayla and Amelia Rechichi are excited about the Boxing Day shopping sales in Rundle Mall. Picture: Emma Brasier

Last year shoppers spent $6.7m in the mall, as reported by AEDA on its website.

Bargain hunters are likely to head into the city early with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a high of 31C.

Amelia Rechichi, 19, and her sister Mikayla Rechichi, 17, are planning on heading into Rundle Mall.

Amelia said her budget was about $300.

“I look forward to the Boxing Day sales to spend any vouchers or money I might get for Christmas,” she said.

“Top of my shopping list this year is some new training gear and sneakers from Nike, Adidas or JD Sports.”

Mikayla thought she might spend up to $500.

Kyra Pavlis and Alex Russo are ready for Boxing Day Sales at Westfield Marion, SA. Picture: Emma Brasier

“We’re going away on a family holiday in January so I’m looking for new shorts and tops and an outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve, which I’m bound to find in Kookai or Nude Lucy,” she said.

Like last year, shoppers are expected to be queuing before sunrise outside stores in Rundle Mall, which will be open from 9am to 5pm.

Westfield Marion, Tea Tree Plaza and West Lakes will also be open from 9am to 5pm, along with Harbour Town, Colonnades Shopping Centre and Elizabeth City Centre.

Burnside Village will trade from 9am to 9pm.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency executive manager for Rundle Mall, Andrew White said Boxing Day would be one of the shopping strip’s busiest days of the year.

The $1.3 billion Aussies are predicted to spend on December 26 is part of an anticipated $3.7 billion national spending spree across five days, starting from Boxing Day. The forecast is up 2.7 per cent on the result for the same period last year ($3.6 billion).

When it comes to the breakdown of the $3.7 billion, South Australians are expected to spend $234m, the fifth highest predicted tally of the states. The ARA anticipates New South Wales shoppers will part with the largest lump sum of $1.1 billion, followed by Victorians ($951m), Queenslanders ($746m) and Western Australians ($410m). After SA’s $234m, Tasmania had the next highest predicted outlay of $74m, after which came the ACT ($69m) and the Northern Territory ($33m).

The ARA said the majority of spending would be on food, household goods, clothing, footwear and accessories “with shoppers historically using this time to buy little luxuries for themselves and their homes”.

Australians were forecast to spend $24.7 billion from December 26 to January 15, up 2.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.

ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said the cost-of-living crisis meant consumers were especially keen to shop the sales.

“Australians love a bargain and are keen to make their dollars go further in the face of challenging economic conditions,” she said. “Whilst many Australians used Black Friday to shop earlier than ever for Christmas gifts, the focus for Boxing Day shopping is typically on a gift for self and grabbing some of those household necessities and larger purchase items that have been on the shopping list this year.”

Rundle Mall retailers will again be offering goods at up to 70 per cent off.

Menswear store Peter Shearer, downstairs in Regent Arcade, will be holding a sidewalk sale on December 26 and 27.

“Shopping the Boxing Day sales is a great way to make your budget go further, whether you’re restocking the linen cupboard, refreshing your wardrobe for summer, or taking the first chance to spend gift vouchers from Christmas,” Mr White said.

“While most of the sales season is spent shopping gifts for others, on Boxing Day we see people treating themselves to something special.

“For those wanting to get a head start on planning for next festive season, you can snap up Christmas trees and decorations at less than half price.”

Originally published as Boxing Day bargain hunter sales aim to bring in $1.3 billion for Australian retailers