West Australian bargain hunters were out in force at the tail end of 2025, but fresh spending analysis has confirmed a major shift in the retail calendar. New data from Bankwest solidifies Black Friday's position as the nation's premier sales event, decisively overtaking the traditional Boxing Day sales.
Black Friday's Decisive Victory in the West
Bankwest's latest examination of customer debit and credit card activity in Western Australia has delivered a clear verdict. Total spending during Black Friday week was a substantial 28 per cent higher than during the week of Boxing Day in 2025. This gap highlights the profound change in how and when Australians, particularly West Aussies, are choosing to hunt for discounts.
The categories where consumers overwhelmingly favoured Black Friday deals included electrical appliances, airline tickets, discount stores, and department stores. This trend indicates that major purchases and gift buying are increasingly being funnelled into the November sales period.
A Growing Phenomenon with Economic Ripples
The Bankwest report, scheduled for release on Tuesday the 20th of January 2026, also tracks the event's rapid growth. The total spend during the Black Friday sales period was 6 per cent higher in 2025 than in the previous year. What began as a US tradition following Thanksgiving has ballooned far beyond a single Friday, now often stretching into a month-long promotional event encompassing Cyber Monday.
Economists have raised concerns that the swelling influence of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is distorting key economic indicators. This distortion could potentially cloud the Reserve Bank of Australia's assessment of underlying consumer spending strength. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently reported that national consumer spending in November 2025 was up 6.3 per cent year-on-year, surpassing forecasts. In WA, the surge was even more pronounced, with household spending climbing close to 9 per cent.
Implications for Households and Holiday Spending
This robust spending data presents a fresh challenge for households anticipating interest rate relief. The RBA, which has expressed ongoing concerns about persistent inflation in a tight job market, will next meet on February 2-3. Strong retail figures may influence its decision on potential mortgage relief.
Interestingly, Bankwest's data revealed a shift in December shopping demographics. While the number of unique Gen Z customers transacting in December fell by 4.5 per cent compared to 2024, those who did shop spent more. Overall, December saw a nearly 10 per cent increase in transacting customers and a significant 22.7 per cent lift in total spend year-on-year. Sporting goods, toy shops, and department stores enjoyed the biggest customer gains.
According to Bankwest's head of everyday products, Allan Emery, the Black Friday sales have likely become a launchpad for Christmas shopping. "Many West Aussies are likely taking advantage of these earlier deals to purchase their gifts," Mr Emery suggested, pointing to a strategic change in consumer behaviour that sees the festive shopping season starting well before December.
