Aussies tipped to drop $1.3b on Boxing Day sales

Boxing Day waves of bargain hunters spilling onto store floors may have made way for mouse clicks, but Aussies still love pouring cash into post-Christmas sales.

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Australians are projected to spend $1.3 billion on Boxing Day this year and a further $2.4 billion during the last days of December, Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan research shows.

Household goods are expected to top buying wishlists, with a projected spend of $378 million, followed by food ($296 million) and $197 million for clothing, footwear and accessories.

The expected 2.7 per cent spending boost compared to the same time last year is cause for optimism, the association's chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said this week.

"These post-Christmas figures show there remains a healthy appetite from Australians to make the most of Boxing Day sales," Ms Brown said.

"With the cost-of-living crisis, we've seen more shoppers shift their attention to sales events including the Black Friday and Cyber Monday activities."

While the trample-or-be-trampled energy of the Boxing Day sales has largely given way to e-commerce and mouse clicks, the retailers association still expects large crowds at major retailers on Thursday.

"Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring your reusable bags, don't forget a bottle of water, and make sure to charge your phone before heading to the shops," Ms Brown advised.

"Above all else, be patient and maintain a positive attitude - retail workers are working hard to ensure seamless customer service during the peak retail period of the year."

Meanwhile, research from online e-commerce giant eBay predicts Australians could make nearly $1 billion from selling unwanted gifts this festive season.

The research didn't specify whether this figure was before or after platforms wet their beaks with seller fees.

"Not every gift sparks joy for the recipient, but that doesn't mean it can't bring happiness to someone else," eBay Australia's Zannie Abbott said.

But with more Australians buying online, the Australian Banking Association is warning bargain hunters to watch out for scams.

"We all love a bargain, but it's important shoppers don't end up getting a more than they bargained for," association CEO Anna Bligh said.  

"Scammers are out in force. 

"They will use every trick in the book to deceive shoppers, including using dodgy websites imitating legitimate brands through to fake parcel notifications sent via SMS."

Australia's banks are taking measures to protect consumers, including actively blocking transfers to known scam accounts.

Australian Associated Press

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