Cost-of-living crisis won’t slow Boxing Day sales splurge

Despite the tough economic conditions, Victorian shoppers are predicted to maintain a “healthy appetite” for the Boxing Day sales. Here’s where you can snap up a bargain.

Georgie Kibel

2 min read

December 26, 2024 - 4:00AM

Poppy Christofides, Lilli Baxter and Cuba Moore with items included in the David Jones Boxing Day sales. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victoria

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Victorians are set to splash $951m over the post-Christmas sales period, in what is being described as “one of the most competitive years for retail spending”.

Australian shoppers are predicted to spend $1.3bn on Boxing Day alone, up 1.8 per cent from last year’s $1.23bn in sales, according to data from the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan.

Despite a cost-of-living crisis and attention shifting to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, shoppers are still demonstrating a “healthy appetite” for Boxing Day sales, according to ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown.

“Australians love a bargain and are keen to make their dollars go further in the face of challenging economic conditions,” Ms Brown said.

“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.”

The most popular categories among shoppers are expected to be household goods ($378m), food ($296m) and clothing, footwear and accessories ($197m), according to the retail peak body.

Hayley and Alex Wollan with Louise Davis at Chadstone Shopping Centre. Picture: Tony Gough

Ms Brown said that a spike in spending “may provide some cautious confidence” for retailers after a period of downturn.

Australia’s largest mall, Chadstone Shopping Centre, is expecting approximately 150,000 people to browse its 550 stores between 7am and 11pm on Thursday.

Centre manager Daniel Boyle said many of the fashion capital’s customers will be viewing Boxing Day as a “treat yourself day”.

“It’s better to shop early in the day, or shop later in the day,” he advised.

“Do a little bit of pre-planning ... jump on our website, have a look at the best place to park, find out where the stores are that you’d like to visit.”

Hayley, Alex and Louise. Picture: Tony Gough

Melbourne Central Shopping centre has welcomed more than a million visitors each week throughout December, and is expecting Boxing Day sales to continue this trend.

“We are absolutely expecting that enthusiasm from our shoppers to continue as we close out the year,” centre manager Denis Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said he is expecting 200,000 people to visit Melbourne Central on Boxing Day.

In the city’s west, Highpoint will be open until midnight and is anticipated to welcome 115,000 shoppers into the centre, which is home to more than 450 stores.

More than 600,000 customers are expected to head to David Jones stores nationwide to take advantage of 50 per cent off selected fashion, footwear, accessories, and homewares.

Similar sales will be on offer at Myer, with a spokesperson predicting household items, such as sheets, towels, dinnerware and glassware, to be among the most popular categories for shoppers.

National Retail Association interim CEO Lindsay Carroll reminded shoppers to be considerate of workers this Boxing Day, as just last week, Safe Work Australia reported a 56 per cent increase in serious complaints relating to workplace aggression and violence.

“Be patient and maintain a positive attitude – retail workers are working hard to ensure a seamless customer service during the peak retail period of the year.”