Roy Morgan Research
December 26, 2021

Bargain hunters set to splurge over $3 billion in the Boxing Day sales

Finding No: 8881
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Australians are set to shop up a storm during the Boxing Day sales with over $3 billion to be spent in stores and online as retailers slash their prices ahead of the rush of bargain hunters through their shops. 

Australians are set to shop up a storm during the Boxing Day sales with over $3 billion to be spent in stores and online as retailers slash their prices ahead of the rush of bargain hunters through their shops. 

Forecasts from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in conjunction with Roy Morgan show Australians will spend a record $3.1 billion between Boxing Day and the end of the year. People in NSW are forecast to spend $962 million, followed by Victorians at $811 million and Queenslanders at $636 million. 

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the Boxing Day sales are a key event on the retail calendar and the appetite for shopping remains strong despite the ongoing Covid threat.

“Australians love their sport, and they love their shopping, which makes Boxing Day one of the most anticipated days of the year. For retailers – Boxing Day is like their Grand Final,” Mr Zahra said.

“While most of us will be sleeping off our Christmas Day hangovers, retailers will be up before dawn, getting ready for the stampede of customers through their doors on the hunt for some bargains. 

“Consumers can expect to see discounts across the board with retailers to slash their prices on a range of items from homewares to fashion and electronics. While people have been purchasing gifts for others in the lead up to Christmas, the Boxing Day sales are traditionally a time when people purchase things for themselves or their homes.

“We’re forecasting a record $3.1 billion will be spent between Boxing Day and the end of the year with foot traffic to remain strong despite the ongoing Covid threat. Overall, sales have been strong during the holiday sales period with pent up demand for shopping continuing after the Delta lockdowns. 

“With more people out in the shops at this busy time of year, retail staff will be fully stretched, so we’re asking consumers to be patient and to shop respectfully,” Mr Zahra said.

Boxing Day Sales – States and Territories (26 December – 31 December 2021)

States and Territories

Boxing Day Sales (seasonally adjusted)

26 December – 31 December 2021

New South Wales

$962 million

Victoria

$811 million

Queensland

$636 million

South Australia

$190 million

Western Australia

$341 million

Tasmania

$66 million

Northern Territory

$30 million

Australian Capital Territory

$59 million

Total (National)

$3.097 billion

Boxing Day Sales – Retail Categories (26 December – 31 December 2021)

Retail Categories

Boxing Day Sales (seasonally adjusted)

26 December – 31 December 2021

Food

$1.259 billion

Household Goods

$534 million

Clothing, Footwear and Accessories

$248 million

Department Stores

$163 million

Other Retailing

$471 million

Hospitality

$422 million

Total (National)

$3.097 billion

Food: Supermarket, grocery stores, Liquor, and Other specialised food retailing; Household goods: Furniture, houseware, textile goods, Electrical and electronic goods and Hardware; Clothing: Clothing, footwear, personal accessory; Department stores; Other: Newspaper, book, recreational goods, Pharmaceutical, cosmetic, toiletry, Stationery, flowers, etc.; Hospitality: Cafes, restaurants and takeaway

Media Enquiries:

Dominic Cuschieri

M 0418 224 072

Margin of Error

The margin of error to be allowed for in any estimate depends mainly on the number of interviews on which it is based. Margin of error gives indications of the likely range within which estimates would be 95% likely to fall, expressed as the number of percentage points above or below the actual estimate. Allowance for design effects (such as stratification and weighting) should be made as appropriate.

Sample Size Percentage Estimate
40% – 60% 25% or 75% 10% or 90% 5% or 95%
1,000 ±3.0 ±2.7 ±1.9 ±1.3
5,000 ±1.4 ±1.2 ±0.8 ±0.6
7,500 ±1.1 ±1.0 ±0.7 ±0.5
10,000 ±1.0 ±0.9 ±0.6 ±0.4
20,000 ±0.7 ±0.6 ±0.4 ±0.3
50,000 ±0.4 ±0.4 ±0.3 ±0.2

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