‘Tis the season to spend money – Tasmanian shoppers surge on Christmas Eve weekend

The busiest period for festive season shopping will cause a surge of shoppers to hit Tasmanian streets for the last-minute gifts before Christmas. See the best places to go.

Genevieve Holding

2 min read

December 23, 2023 - 10:00AM

Bec Curran with daughter Amelia Allwright 11 who were out shopping. Last minute Christmas shoppers in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania

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Shoppers will hit Tasmanian streets in force on Saturday and Sunday to tick off the last-minute gifts, with retailers primed and ready for what will be the two busiest days this festive season.

New NAB data shows that 12pm to 1pm on Saturday, December 23 is the peak hour in Australia’s Christmas shopping calendar, with shoppers expected to drop a cool $3.33 billion across Saturday and Friday.

Bec Curran and 11-year-old daughter Amelia Allwright were among Tasmanian shoppers grabbing their final festive goodies.

“We are just in here grabbing some last minute bits and pieces,” Ms Curran said.

“We had sort of pre-picked what we needed from some of the bigger stores before coming in and luckily, we got everything on the list.”

Ms Curran and her daughter even looked to some Tasmanian businesses for stocking stuffers to complete their Christmas shopping.

“We picked up some Tassie chocolates from Coal River Farm … now the gifts are done, it’s just the groceries,” she said.

Bec Curran with daughter Amelia Allwright 11 who were out shopping. Last minute Christmas shoppers in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Whether it’s the forgotten present or stocking stuffers, Tasmanian retailers have got the state covered, including the ever-popular Salamanca Markets.

Salamanca Market Stallholder Association president Emma Hope said with over 300 stalls in the Salamanca stretch, everyone on the shopping list is sorted.

“We’ll have special Christmas products at stalls, Santa ready for a photo and musical entertainment for people to really make a day of their shopping trip,” she said.

“There is a truly special atmosphere at the markets when it is so close to Christmas.”

Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC) CEO Robert Mallett is firmly behind the push for Tassie shoppers to buy local in the last surge of Christmas shopping.

“Talking to some of the retailers in the last few weeks, the December trade hasn’t been too bad,” he said.

“I think the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales do focus people’s minds on the upcoming festive season so that has helped to bring shoppers in a little earlier in November.”

While Mr Mallett said he hadn’t seen the usual big sales jump before Christmas, sales have stayed steady throughout December.

Tasmanian shoppers will hit the state’s streets in force on Saturday and Sunday to tick off the last-minute gifts. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The Hobart City Council’s giftwrapping stall with local charities and community groups in the Elizabeth Street Mall means shoppers can get purchases ready for a place under the tree.

The final day of giftwrapping will be run by Hobart Legacy volunteers from 10am to 4pm on Saturday for the cost of a gold coin donation.

Hobart City Council is reminding residents to look for eco-friendly practices this Christmas to avoid the scourge of waste heading to landfills post-Christmas.

“Every piece of wrapping paper diverted from the landfill brings us one step closer to our zero-waste goal,” Hobart councillor Bill Harvey said.

“Please, remove the sticky tape as best as you can before popping it into your recycling bin.”

Residents are also encouraged to consider second-hand gifts, explore reusable and up-cycling alternatives and cut back on Christmas food waste.