Boxing Day bonanza: Shoppers are expected to splash out $3.4 billion
A shopping frenzy is expected on Boxing Day as millions of Aussies plan to hit the stores, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,010 respondents revealed 1 in 3 (33%) Australians – equivalent to almost 7 million people – plan to shop the Boxing Day sales.
Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $489 each during the sales period, totaling $3.4 billion nationwide.
The younger generations, gen Y ($673) and gen Z ($411), are likely to spend more, while the older generations, gen X ($369) and baby boomers ($230), will be more mindful with their spending.
The research found women ($507) plan to fork out more than men ($470).
Chris Jager, shopping expert at Finder, said Boxing Day is one of the year's most eagerly awaited shopping events, second to Black Friday.
"Aussies can look forward to a wide range of discounts both in-store and online.
"Lots of retailers will offer exclusive online discounts, making it convenient for shoppers to grab deals without battling crowds.
"Many shoppers will be looking to the sales to snag items they've been eyeing or missed during Black Friday."
Jager said the most sought-after items tend to sell out quickly, so be ready to shop as soon as sales go live.
"Now is the time to compare prices and track the items you want as this will help you recognise genuine deals.
"Retailers often share early access or extra discounts with their email subscribers so sign up in advance to stay ahead of the game."
Jager said there are plenty of opportunities to score even bigger deals during the sales.
"Combine Boxing Day deals with cashback programs, credit card rewards, or coupon codes and these extra savings can add up, especially for big-ticket items.
"With discounts this steep, many retailers have stricter return policies for Boxing Day purchases. Always double-check the terms before completing a purchase to avoid future headaches."
Jager encouraged Australians to be cautious of fake sales this Boxing Day.
"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently conducted a sweep of Black Friday sales advertising and the results are pretty concerning.
"It found multiple examples of discounts that were either exaggerated or blatantly false.
"Don't settle for the first deal you see. Compare prices across different retailers to ensure you're getting the best possible price," Jager said.
How much do you plan to spend on Boxing Day?
| Average Australian shopper | $489 |
| Nationwide spend | $3.4 billion |
| Source: Finder survey of 338 respondents who plan to shop the Boxing Day sales, December 2024 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,010 respondents, 338 of whom plan to shop the Boxing Day sales, from December 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.