Record Christmas spend to bring plenty of retail cheer

Tasmanians are set to spend almost $1 billion in retail outlets this Christmas with the national spend predicted to hit a new high.

Tasmanian retailers are expecting a surge in shopping volumes in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

TASMANIANS are set to spend $990 million in retail outlets this Christmas — up 5 per cent from last year.

That equates to about $2000 per Tasmanian over the Christmas trade period which takes in the second half of November and all of December.

Online sales across the nation set to grow by 33 per cent to $3.2 billion.

The National Retail Association has predicted Australian shoppers will splurge $50 billion on retail sales this Christmas, the first time the spend has cracked that mark.

NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the 2018 trade period is set to increase on the 2017 figures, with rises expected in every state and territory.

National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb. Picture: PETER WALLIS

“Christmas is both a busy and important time of year for retailers, with many businesses recruiting extra staff to meet the increased consumer demand as Australians flock to the shops,” Ms Lamb said.

“A strong sales performance during the festive season can provide a generous windfall that can also help smaller businesses navigate quieter periods of the year.”

The highest spends are again expected to occur in New South Wales with $16.41 billion and Victoria with $13.2 billion.

“Personalisation will continue to be a major feature during the 2018 Christmas period. Shoppers are now placing a far higher premium on experiential shopping than simply the physical items they purchase,” Ms Lamb said.

“A number of bricks and mortar stores with an online presence are also using better analytical tools in order to obtain more effective data to maximise sales.”

Almost $1 billion is expected to be spent in Tasmanian retailers between now and Christmas.

The figures come as finder.com.au warns that Tasmanian business could lose customers if they charge a surcharge on card transactions.

Finder.com.au says a recent survey showed 65 per cent of Tasmanian customers would turn away from a purchase if there was a surcharge.

“Australia is moving towards a cashless society, but brick and mortar shops just aren’t keeping up,” it said.

The survey also showed that 92 per cent of Tasmanians believed credit card surcharges were a rip-off.

Almost 4000 Australian businesses, including cafes, restaurants, bakeries and well-known franchises, have signed up to finder.com.au’s Fee-Free Shop campaign, which is designed to recognise stores without credit card surcharges or a minimum spend.