Saturday gift rush forecast
AUSTRALIANS are a nation of last-minute shoppers with many tipped to be racing against the clock to complete their final festive spend-up.
Retailers are set to be overflowing this week, but for those eager to avoid the crowds, Saturday is tipped to be the busiest shopping day yet.
New transaction data from one of the nation’s largest banks, National Australia Bank, has used 2016 Christmas shopping statistics to predict the trends this festive season.
This includes making more than 30 million purchases on December 23 alone and splashing $2.7 billion – a similar amount to last year.
The average purchase will be $90.
Online spending is expected to increase 20 per cent during the Christmas and new year period in 2016, compared with the year before.
But most spenders will be playing it safe this year by using savings instead of racking up credit card debt.
Analysis from financial services firm Canstar shows 53 per cent of Australians will be buying presents this year using their own savings.
Canstar spokeswoman Belinda Williamson encouraged shoppers to try to not blow their budgets and be sucked in by last-minute sales.
“Impulsive presents are unlikely to delight the beneficiary or your bank balance so having a gift list is paramount,” Ms Williamson said.
“The good news is more of us are playing it safe and relying on our savings to fund the festivities this year.”
Christmas Eve, which is on a Sunday this year, will be the peak time to stock up on food and beverages to ensure shoppers get the freshest food produce. FAMILIES only have a few hours to take in one of Cairns’ best Christmas displays.
Babinda RSL’s Christmas Wonderland Experience has been running for five days, providing a fun, interactive school holiday activity.
RSL project co-ordinator Karen Lacey said the number of visitors was still high despite this year’s event not running as long as last year.
“The feedback has been absolutely fabulous. We have a visitor book and they’ve written wonderful things in it about what the kids love and what they love,” Ms Lacey said.
“There are costumes and dress-ups and so you become an interactive part of each set.
“Santa’s workshop has been the most popular, but we have so many. Teddy Bear’s picnic has been popular with the girls but Frankenstein and the castle has been most popular with boys.