Figures from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan Research indicate Australian consumers will spend $46.7 billion in retail stores over the 2015 Christmas trading period from 15 November to 24 December.
ARA executive director, Russell Zimmerman, says this amount represents a 3.6 per cent increase on last year’s numbers and is a relatively good rate of growth.
“While the ARA would obviously be thrilled to see higher levels of growth, given the current climate and underlying factors, we’re confident that retailers will see a robust Christmas trade that builds on the amount spent across the country last year,” he says.
“While the week before Christmas is traditionally the biggest shopping week of the year, there’s plenty of consumers who like to be prepared and get in early, with a good deal of Aussies starting to tick items off their Christmas lists from mid-November onwards.”
The largest spend will be on kids’ outdoor games and toys, followed closely by indoor games and toys. This follows the trend from last year which saw outdoor toys and games rise in popularity by 143 per cent during the festive shopping season.
Other products with large growth were women’s dresses which grew 101 per cent; men’s trousers, shorts and pants, also up 101 per cent; and perfume and aftershave, up 77 per cent.
“For adults this Christmas we’ll see a rise in products generally seen as traditional gift purchases, such as apparel and perfume, while electronics and technology is also predicted to be a money spinner,” says Zimmerman.
“Christmas 2015 is shaping up to be strong despite rising home loan rates and wavering consumer sentiment.”
By Ruth Cooper
