Boxing Day spending spree on way for WA with $210m bonanza

Retailers around the nation will enjoy a hard-earned breather tomorrow — before the real fun begins.

After weeks of frenzied Christmas shopping, Australians are expected to splurge a record $2.49 billion on Boxing Day.

Although 2018 had been a testing year for retailers, National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said she expected Boxing Day to break records.

WA retailers in particular have been doing it tough this year. Sector leaders have suggested a depressed housing market and rolling back extended trading hours as possible reasons.

Ollie and Sons owner Pete Francis, who has been in clothing retail for 15 years, said he had noticed this festive period had been a bit slower than usual.

But the NRA has forecast relief for WA retailers, with the State’s Boxing Day spend expected to reach $210 million — a 4.5 per cent increase on last year.

Ms Lamb encouraged shoppers to have a plan of attack before they left home.

“Across the country shoppers will be stampeding towards retail stores in a bid to grab quality items at bargain prices,” Ms Lamb said.

“The NRA strongly recommends shoppers do their homework. This includes taking the time to research what purchases they may be interested in and comparing prices across outlets.

“If convenient, shoppers should consider using public transport to avoid time spent trying to find a park, as well as bringing a bottle of water, wearing comfortable footwear and packing lightly.”

Mr Francis said there was always some excitement for retailers on the biggest day on their calendar.

Extra staff would be working at his streetwear store and coffee would play a key role in keeping everyone energised.

With every item bought at Ollie and Sons, shoppers could get a second item of equal or lesser value at half price. “It’s definitely our biggest day of the year,” Mr Francis said.

“It’s the sheer numbers and also people want to spend. A lot of people have been gifted money for Christmas.

“It’s a mindset now, the Boxing Day sales.”

Mr Francis said there was a lot of optimism that business would pick up for WA retailers in 2019.

But the Australian Retailers Association has predicted a fall in post-Christmas spending in WA compared with last year.

While all other States and Territories are expected to increase spending from Boxing Day to January 15, the association has forecast a 0.4 per decrease for WA.