Key Points
- Boxing Day sales are the top retail event from December 26th for about a week.
- Most products that you buy in Australia come with a consumer guarantee.
- Holiday season sales generate $23-25 billion, with Boxing Day contributing $3-4 billion.
Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26th, is a public holiday in Australia, following the Christmas celebrations for Western Christians.
This day has its roots in British history, where it was traditionally a day to give ‘Christmas boxes’ to service workers.
Professor Constant Mews from the says the tradition of giving a Christmas box goes back to the 16th century.
“It was a gift of generosity, often to servants and tradespeople. That’s how it originated in the 16th and 17th centuries. And it wasn’t just to members of your own family, but to those who had helped you and who might be working absolutely every day of the week, except perhaps a little day off on Sundays,” Professor Mews says.
He explains that Boxing Day was initially created to bridge social divides. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became a day for relaxation, sports, and Australia’s famous Boxing Day sales.
Brian Walker, CEO and Founder of Retail Doctors Group
Boxing Day Sales
Shopping for gifts, whether for others or oneself, is an activity millions in Australia engage in.
Boxing Day sales are an excellent opportunity for shoppers to grab deals on various items, from electronics to clothing. Brian Walker, CEO and Founder of , says these sales are a big deal in Australia, with significant discounts across countless stores.
“Boxing Day sales traditionally have been the premier retail shopping event on the calendar from December 26th for about seven days. Approximately 23 to 25 billion dollars in sales is done from that period nationally in Australia. And the Boxing Day itself, the 26th, is the largest single day, with about three to four billion dollars,” Mr Walker says.
Boxing Day has been a tradition since the 1980s when big department stores dominated it. However, this is no longer the case.
Mr Walker says the Australian and global retail scene has changed significantly since then.
“Now, there are considerably many more competitors than there were in those days, considerably more demand, and considerably more stock. So, it’s a more competitive environment for retailers at one level. It’s a more competitive environment for shoppers who are well-researched to do well in,” he adds.
Australians celebrate Boxing Day with many taking advantage of the post-Christmas sale prices in what is usually the busiest day of the year for retailers in Australia – Getty Credit: Naomi Rahim/Getty Images
Navigating the Shopping experience
According to Lauren Di Bartolo, Founder of the , Boxing Day is a primary sales period for Australians in the fashion and lifestyle industries. But it’s not the only sale time.
Boxing Day’s lead-up is Click Frenzy in October and November, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday in late November.
“Boxing Day is very much about going and purchasing the pieces that you may have had on your wish list for a little while, and it’s the opportunity to buy them knowing that they’ll be reduced significantly,” Ms Di Bartolo says.
The major sales season spans from mid-November through the end of January each year, with an anticipated spending of approximately 70 billion dollars, according to Mr Walker.
You can find online and in-store sales and deals on Boxing Day. It’s crucial to shop safely, especially with the rise of online shopping.
Know the retailer, ensure that their online process is secure, check the banking details, check that all the security apps are in place, but I think more than anything, know the retailer. Know that the site is secure, and all reputable retailers have secure transaction pathways and secure sites.
Brian Walker
Are you opting to shop in person on Boxing Day?
Prior research and planning can significantly enhance your experience and ensure you achieve your desired results.
Ms Di Bartolo says that shopping and discovering sales are emotional experiences, often contributing to the addictive nature of shopping for many people.
“Research is good, particularly if you’re watching a budget this year, because certainly it’s so easy to overspend, and that’s what a lot of the wording and marketing that surround these deals help to do; they incentivize us spending money,” Ms Di Bartolo warns.
If you prefer to avoid researching and shopping in-store or at a shopping centre, Ms Di Bartolo advises keeping your budget and needs in mind while making purchases.
“There’s a part of the brain called the reticular activating system. This is sort of part of the psychology of style. What it does is it has us looking for more of the same thing already familiar to us. So, what that can mean is often we will look for things we already have in the wardrobe,” Ms Di Bartolo explains.
To avoid unnecessary shopping, check your wardrobe and home for items you already have before purchasing new items.
Australian Style Institute Founder Lauren Di Bartolo
Budgeting and Avoiding Overspending
According to Nadia Massoud, a Professor of Finance at , creating a budget for sales is crucial. Allocate a defined amount for shopping and remain committed to it.
“You need to list the sources of income or revenue. Then, list the itemized expenses. Some expenses are stable, and we have no control over them. This is what we call fixed expenses and there is variable we consider them as discretionary. And this is where you have full control where you can make choices,” Ms Massoud explains.
She recommends that consumers view the Boxing Day sales as a chance to reduce their overall fixed expenses.
“If you have children and they’re growing in age, and you must buy some shoes and clothes for them, then you plan ahead of time. And buy those important items during the boxing day sales,” she says.
Understanding Australian Consumer rights
As consumers in Australia, it’s essential to know that your rights are well-protected, as these can save you a lot of trouble.
You are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement for faulty or unsafe products that do not match their description. Retaining your receipts is advisable, and don’t hesitate to address any issues with the retailer.
According to Natasha Mann, most products purchased in Australia come with a consumer guarantee, ensuring that the product will function as expected for its intended purpose.
“Products need to be of an acceptable quality. They need to be safe and lasting with no faults. They need to look acceptable, so no scratches or dents or anything like that,” Ms Mann says.
Boxing Day sales are an excellent opportunity for shoppers to grab deals on everything from electronics to clothing – Getty Credit: Diego Fedele/Getty Images
She adds that it doesn’t matter whether you’ve purchased online or in-store. Your rights are the same. But it can be more complex when you have purchased from an overseas seller. Still, there are instances where you won’t be eligible for a refund.
“During the Boxing Day sales, just make sure that you’re purchasing what you want to purchase because if you change your mind, you’re not automatically entitled to a refund,” Ms Mann says.
Shopping is a big part of Boxing Day in Australia, but it still has that warm social aspect.
Ms Di Bartolo says it’s about bringing people together, relaxing and eating Christmas leftovers.
“Boxing Day doesn’t need to be a day that’s about spending and shopping. At the heart of Boxing Day, for many Australians, it’s considered a day where people can relax after the momentum that builds and the rush that happens in the lead up to Christmas,” Ms Di Bartolo suggests.
