Perth's major shopping centers, including Karrinyup, DFO Perth, and the central business district, observed significant visitor numbers on Friday for Boxing Day sales. This local activity occurred alongside national spending forecasts of approximately $1.6 billion for Boxing Day and over $3.82 billion for the period between Christmas and December 31, according to data from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan. Research by digital payment platform PayPal indicated that 82% of Australians planned to engage in online shopping for end-of-year sales.
Perth Retail Activity
Karrinyup Shopping Centre anticipated approximately 100,000 visitors on Boxing Day. This estimate was based on the previous year's attendance of over 85,000 for the same event. Trudy Cook, General Manager of Karrinyup Shopping Centre, confirmed that operational measures, including staff deployment and traffic management, were implemented to manage the expected crowds.
Specific stores within Karrinyup reported notable activity:
- Peter Alexander: Shoppers, including Jobe Henderson (19) and Remy Noack (20), reported waiting times of over 30 minutes for checkout. The brand's popularity was partly attributed to social media trends.
- Victoria's Secret: The recently opened flagship store attracted long queues, with security personnel present. Ms. Cook noted that the Karrinyup Victoria's Secret location was the second highest-grossing internationally within two weeks of its pre-Christmas opening.
- Other Stores: JB Hi-Fi and the Lego store also drew attention, with customers such as Ryan Moresby and Michelle Altham purchasing items.
In the period leading up to Christmas, Karrinyup Shopping Centre achieved a record of over 100,000 gift cards sold per day. These sales were expected to continue throughout the week following Boxing Day. Minor instances of pushing were noted among shoppers in busy areas of the center.
DFO Perth recorded significant vehicle traffic, leading to congestion in surrounding areas and requiring the presence of traffic controllers in carparks and adjacent streets. In the Perth central business district (CBD), initial observations at 8:00 AM indicated fewer than a dozen individuals awaiting department store openings, with increased activity anticipated as the day progressed.
National Spending Forecasts and Trends
Data from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan projected national spending of approximately $1.6 billion on Boxing Day sales. For the period between Christmas and December 31, total national spending was forecasted to exceed $3.82 billion.
Key spending categories anticipated nationally included:
- Household goods: $476 million
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories: $216 million
- Department stores: $123 million
Chris Rodwell, Chief Executive of the ARA, indicated that consumer behavior would continue to prioritize competitive pricing and promotional activities into 2026. He stated that the retail sector concluded the year with growth, which he cited as an indicator of its resilience and the consistent appeal of Boxing Day as a significant sales event. Rodwell also noted that local retail purchases contribute to jobs, training, wages, and community investment.
Online Shopping Overview
Research conducted by digital payment platform PayPal indicated that 82% of Australians planned to engage in online shopping for end-of-year sales, with almost 60% reporting that over half of their shopping occurred online. Approximately 40% of all Australians intended to spend during Boxing Day sales.
The most popular online purchase categories during Boxing Day sales were identified as:
- Fashion and accessories: 41%
- Electronics and technology: 35%
- Kitchen items: 33%
- Beauty products: 32%
Generation Z (48%) and Millennials (46%) were identified as the age groups most likely to participate in Boxing Day sales. Danielle Grant, a PayPal consumer expert, advised online shoppers to use trusted sites and secure payment methods to mitigate scam risks.
Government Commentary
Federal Minister Patrick Gorman highlighted the government's protection of penalty rates for retail and associated workers, noting their importance for approximately 2.6 million Australians in various workforces. Minister Gorman stated that a decline in penalty rates would negatively impact the economy.