Australians are already preparing to splurge over $3 billion as the Boxing Day bargains beckon.
According to a Finder survey the average shopper will spend about $440 over the sales period, adding up to a staggering $3.1 billion.
Generation Y (1981-96) shoppers say they’ll spend an average of $477, with Gen X (1965-80) close behind at $467.
Gen Z (1997-2012) shoppers are more frugal, budgeting around $416, maybe because they don’t have as much cash to splash.
Baby boomers (1946-64) are taking a more cautious approach, planning to spend $314 on average.
The survey of more than 1000 people estimated that more than seven million Australians nationwide planned to shop the Boxing Day sales this year.
Perth shopping centres are bracing for huge crowds.
Karrinyup Shopping Centre general manager Trudy Cook said Christmas trading had been strong, particularly among younger shoppers.
And Boxing Day was shaping up to be even bigger.
“We’ve already seen strong demand, with the opening of our new Victoria’s Secret store and continued momentum at key retailers like MECCA,” Ms Cook said.
“With Boxing Day discounts of up to 70 per cent on offer, we expect shoppers to be out in force as they look to make the most of the sales period.
“Our stores are well prepared for the influx, and we’re ready to welcome bargain-hunters with services like valet parking and hands-free shopping for those wanting a more seamless experience.”
Finder money expert Rebecca Pike said Boxing Day had become one of the biggest events on the retail calendar, rivalled only by last month’s Black Friday.
“If you missed out on the Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales a few weeks ago, there will be plenty of chances to score bargains across both physical stores and online,” she said.
“That means plenty of opportunities to catch a bargain from home, without lining up or fighting the crowds.”
But Ms Pike warned the best deals don’t last long.
“Tracking prices ahead of time makes it much easier to spot real value when discounts drop,” she said.
“Signing up to retailer mailing lists can also pay off, with early access and subscriber-only offers often released before the public sales go live.”
Shoppers keen to stretch their dollars even further could stack savings by combining discounts with cashback offers, loyalty points or credit card rewards — especially on big-ticket items.
Still, Ms Pike urged caution after an expensive festive season.
“Don’t get sucked into buying something you don’t actually need just because it looks like a good deal,” she said.
“Stick to a list and have a strict budget in place — and always check the fine print, as some sale items come with tighter return conditions.”
https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/australians-to-splash-31b-as-millions-gear-up-for-boxing-day-sales-with-younger-shoppers-leading-the-charge-c-21082780
