Boxing Day sales
Perth’s Boxing Day sales kicked off with a bang as thousands of eager shoppers flocked to Karrinyup Shopping Centre and the central business district on Friday. The early morning rush saw families, friends, and solo bargain hunters pour through the doors of the northern suburbs’ retail hub, eager to capitalize on the year’s most anticipated discounts.
By midday, the bustling scenes extended to both the Perth CBD and DFO Perth, with consumers keen to stretch their dollars further. Trudy Cook, Karrinyup Shopping Centre’s general manager, projected that nearly 100,000 visitors would pass through the centre’s doors by day’s end.
“We were over nearly 85,000 for Boxing Day last year — we think this year we’re going to get close to nearly 100,000,” Ms. Cook stated. “It’s under so much management control. We’ve got all our teams in place, we’ve got traffic management.”
Shopping Frenzy Fueled by Social Media Trends
Among the throngs of shoppers were Jobe Henderson, 19, and Remy Noack, 20, who braved early morning queues at Peter Alexander’s store in Karrinyup. Despite their early start, the pair faced a 30-minute wait just to check out.
“It was crazy — we were lined up in the store for about half an hour just to pay,” Ms. Noack remarked. “The hype around the sleepwear brand has rocketed due to TikTok trends and families wanting matching sets for their loved ones, including their pets.”
Such enthusiasm was mirrored at other popular stores like JB Hi-Fi and the newly opened Victoria’s Secret flagship store, which saw lines stretching out the door. The store, which opened just two weeks before Christmas, is already the second highest-grossing Victoria’s Secret outlet internationally.
Economic Impact and Consumer Behavior
The Australian Retailers Association, in collaboration with Roy Morgan, forecasted that Australians would spend approximately $1.6 billion on Boxing Day sales. The spending spree is expected to continue, with national expenditures predicted to surpass $3.82 billion between Christmas and December 31.
According to the data, the biggest spending categories nationally include household goods ($476 million), clothing, shoes, and accessories ($216 million), and department stores ($123 million).
Chris Rodwell, CEO of the Retailers Association, highlighted the enduring appeal of Boxing Day sales, emphasizing the value-driven behavior of consumers.
“We expect value-driven behavior to remain a feature of consumer spending into 2026, with households continuing to prioritize competitive prices and strong promotional activity,” he said. “Retailers are finishing the year on solid footing.”
Online Shopping Trends and Consumer Advice
Despite the bustling in-store activity, online shopping remains a significant force. Research by PayPal indicated that 82% of Australians planned to shop online during the end-of-year sales, with nearly 60% conducting more than half of their shopping digitally.
Fashion and accessories are the most popular purchases during Boxing Day sales, accounting for 41%, followed by electronics and tech (35%), kitchen items (33%), and beauty products (32%).
Danielle Grant, a PayPal consumer expert, advised online shoppers to exercise caution during the busy sales period.
“When people are shopping during busy sales periods, it’s understandable to be cautious,” she advised. “Taking simple steps like sticking to sites you trust, being careful with links, and choosing secure ways to pay can make a real difference and help shoppers feel more confident online.”
Government Support and Future Outlook
Federal Minister Patrick Gorman emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting penalty rates for retail workers, even as online shopping trends continue to evolve. He expressed confidence that Perth’s CBD would see increased foot traffic as the day progressed.
“I’m certain that you will see the CBD filling up,” Mr. Gorman stated. “When it comes to the protections for penalty rates, these are also protections for people who work in warehousing, logistics, and delivery.”
As Perth’s Boxing Day sales continue to draw crowds, the event underscores the resilience of the retail sector and the enduring allure of in-person shopping experiences, even in an increasingly digital world.
