Bumper Boxing Day sales exceed expectations

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) thanks shoppers for their patience in what were bumper Boxing Day sales yesterday, with more than $2.072 billion expected to have gone through retail tills across Australia (year on year increase of at least $72 million).

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers saw unprecedented crowds yesterday with many stores forced to restrict entrance due to the sheer number of people already in store.

“Shoppers remained patient and understanding as they hit retail stores yesterday. Many shoppers spent hours trying to find a car park as well as waiting in lines – lining up to get into the store and lining up to make their purchases.

“Even with online shopping the new norm, shopping in-store on Boxing Day remains an Aussie tradition - we seem to get real a kick out of organised chaos. While consumers can now purchase almost anything from the comfort of their own living rooms, online shopping can never fully replace the five-sense experience that comes with being amongst the craziness and excitement at the local mall on Boxing Day.

“The ARA would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all retail employees throughout the Christmas period, but particularly on what was undeniably a large Boxing Day. Rather than spending time with family and friends, retail staff are at the coal face trying to make the shopping journey as seamless as possible.

“If sales continue like those we saw yesterday throughout the post-Christmas period, the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicated post-Christmas figure of $16.1 billion will certainly be exceeded,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Australian shoppers (aged 14 and older) are tipped to spend an average of $850 each from Boxing Day through to 15 January 2015, representing year on year growth of 3.6 percent.

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Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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