Australians are embodying their famous relaxed attitude, with new research showing a significant portion of the population delays their Christmas gift buying until the final moments. The data indicates that more than one in three shoppers leave their purchases until the week of the holiday itself.
The Peak of Procrastination: Shopping on Christmas Day
Perhaps the most striking finding is that 9 per cent of shoppers take an exceptionally risky approach, planning to buy their presents on Christmas Day. This trend has sparked widespread discussion about which stores are actually open for business on December 25. For many, the practical reality is that last-minute options may be limited to supermarket vouchers from outlets like Coles.
In response to consumer queries, major Australian retailers including Bunnings, Big W, Target, Kmart, and Westfield have already announced their trading hours for the 2024 holiday season, allowing savvy shoppers to plan ahead.
Spending Defies Economic Pressure
Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, overall Christmas expenditure is holding strong. The research forecasts that approximately 15.9 million Australian adults intend to purchase gifts this year. Total Christmas gift spending is projected to reach around $12 billion, which is slightly higher than the previous year. On average, each person is expected to spend about $757 on gifts.
To manage their budgets, many Australians have strategically used Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to spread costs and secure bargains earlier in the season.
A Pragmatic Approach to the Holiday Rush
Some shoppers, like grandmother Karen, have adopted a highly practical strategy to avoid the festive chaos altogether. Karen, who has 11 grandchildren, opts to give cash and vouchers. She openly cites her dislike for the stressful in-store experience, specifically mentioning the annoyance of "trolleys hitting up the back of your heels when you go shopping."
Retail experts are using the data to reiterate their advice to the public. They strongly urge Australians to plan ahead and take full advantage of earlier trading days and pre-Christmas sales events before stores close for the holiday break.
