Aussies expected to splash out more than $3B on Boxing Day bargains

In the lead up to Christmas, many Aussies fall into the trap of overspending a little as they hit the shops in search of the perfect gift, festive food and an outfit for a Christmas party.

The country’s spending isn’t expected to slow down once Christmas Day is over and done with though, as new research has revealed that Aussie shoppers will fork out a whopping $3.2 billion whilst shopping the Boxing Day sales.

Finder.com.au conducted the research which found that 56 per cent of respondents – which equates to 10 million Aussies – will hit the shops or surf the net to hunt for a bargain on December 26.

“The Boxing Day crowds are enough to send anyone into a panic,” said Bessie Hassan, Money Expert at finder.com.au. “So if you do plan on heading in store make sure you have a plan. Make a list of what you want to buy and head straight for those departments.

“If you don’t make it to the sales don’t stress, plenty of retailers, especially those online, will extend well into the new year.”

The data also found that the average Aussie is forecast to spend around $304 in the sales and, perhaps surprisingly, it is actually men who are predicted to splash out more in the sales than women. Blokes are expected to stump up an average of $365 each, compared to $253 for women.

And a vast number of Aussies won’t even be waiting until Boxing Day to pick up cheap goodies, as more than one in four (28 per cent) of those surveyed confessed that they will be spending Christmas Day trawling the online sales.

“Retailers are taking advantage of Aussies’ appetite for shopping and are starting their post-Christmas sales earlier than usual this year,” Hassan added. “If you want to make the most of the sales don’t just head in store. There are a number of great deals online so do your research and you might save yourself a few dollars.”

Read more: Know your rights around refunds in the lead up to Christmas.

If you are shopping in the sales though, make sure you know your rights when it come to returning items so you aren’t left out of pocket with an item you don’t want or can’t use.

According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), misleading representations regarding online refunds and returns is one of the issues they receive the most complaints about.

“It is important for us warn the retail sector and educate consumers as we enter the busiest shopping period of the year,” the ACCC said in a statement.

“If customers are looking to return faulty goods, the ACL [Australian Consumer Law] gives them the right to choose between a refund or replacement if a product they have purchased has a major fault, even for sale and clearance items,” said the ACCC’s deputy chair, Dr Michael Schaper.

“If a product has a minor fault, retailers can choose to provide a free repair instead of a refund or replacement.”

Finder.com.au also have a roundup of Boxing Day deals available here.

Do you like shopping the sales? Will you be heading to the shops on Boxing Day?

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your financial or legal situation, objectives or needs. That means it’s not financial product or legal advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a financial or legal decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get independent, licensed financial services or legal advice.