$356m SPLURGE

TASSIE SALES FRENZY

TASMANIAN shoppers are predicted to part with more than $350 million in the postChristmas sales, leading the nation’s peak retail body to laud the state’s economic turnaround.

More than $50 million is expected to be spent today when keen shoppers brave the biggest day of their year and take advantage of the Boxing Day sales, but it isn’t stopping there.

The Australian Retailers Association, together with Roy Morgan, have predicted consumers will splash more cash than ever in the three weeks from Boxing Day through to January 15.

In Tasmania, the forecast is for spending of about $356 million in the post-Christmas sales, up 2.91 per cent on last year’s $346 million splurge.

The growth is above the national average of 2.9 per cent and is only bested by NSW (4.2 per cent) and Victoria (3.28 per cent), leaving ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman thrilled.

“Tasmania has done very well recently,” he said.

“Obviously, its hard to compare against NSW and Victoria but, when if you look at the 2.9 per cent growth against Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, then Tasmania is certainly ahead of the pack. You would definitely say it’s punching above its weight.

“It’s really pleasing to see all of this, a couple of years ago you used to be in the negative territory.

“I remember once ringing up the then-premier Lara Giddings about it, we were concerned.”

Tasmania’s $356 million will make up a whopping $17.9 billion that the ARA and Roy Morgan believe will be spent across the country from today until January 15.

Food will make up the most of the hefty spend, with Mr Zimmerman saying Tasmania’s fresh produce would help it capitalise on the trend.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said it was fantastic to see retail figures so strong in Tasmania, and said they would get even better for Hobart once H&M finally opened in the city in the new year.

“I was in town the other day and I went to the shop and the shelves were empty and, in some cases, people had to come back in 10 to 15 minutes it was just incredible to see,” she said.

“I think it’s a sign of confidence in the economy definitely, just have a look at the city, it’s going nuts at the moment and I think will even more once H & M opens.”