With just under three days left until Christmas, thousands of shoppers are flocking to stores across Australia in their droves all searching for those perfect gifts.
Shoppers across the nation are expected to collectively spend close to $22.1 billion this festive season.
Here, FEMAIL has rounded up retailers’ opening hours, online delivery times, apps and services to help make those last-minute purchases a breeze.
This festive season Australian shoppers are collectively expected to spend in excess of $22 billion
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HITTING THE STORES
Though time is running out and you’re likely consumed with the thought that you have so much to do before the big day, there’s no need to panic – just yet.
One of the things you need to know before stepping out to take on the masses who are also doing their last-minute Christmas shopping is store opening hours.
Rather than blindly heading out into the fray, take a savvy approach with the advantage of extended shopping hours.
Major retailers pulling out all the stops include David Jones and Myer.
Before blinding rushing out into the Christmas fray, check store opening hours as many are offering extended closing times
David Jones stores across NSW, ACT, Queensland and South Australia are open until 12am Friday 22 December, 10pm Saturday 23 December, and 6pm Sunday 24 December.
Hours for Myer stores across the country vary. Melbourne Myer stores are open until 12am Friday, December 22, 11pm Saturday, December 23 and 6pm December 24.
Sydney stores are offering shopping until 10pm Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December.
Electronic retailers Harvey Norman and JB-Hi Fi are expected to be busy, but their hours will remain the same.
Westfield Sydney (NSW) | Westfield Marion (SA) | Chadstone (VIC) | Forrest Chase (WA) | The Myer Centre (QLD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 19 | 9.30am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm | 9am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm |
December 20 | 9.30am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm | 9am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 8am – 9pm |
December 21 | 9.30am – 11.59pm | 9am – 11.59pm | 9am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 8am – 12am |
December 22 | 9.30am – 9pm | 12am – 9pm | 9am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 8am – 12am |
December 23 | 9.30am – 7pm | 9am – 6pm | 8am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 8am – 9pm |
December 24 | 10am – 6pm | 9am – 5pm | 12am – 6pm | 8am – 5.30pm | 9am – 6pm |
December 25 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
December 26 | 7am – 9pm | 9am – 5.30pm | 7am – 10pm | 8am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
SMART SHOPPERS THINK ABOUT PRICEY PARKING
Finding a park is an issue for almost 60 per cent of Australian shoppers, an Aussie Farmers Direct survey found last year.
It ranked as more stressful than long queues at cash registers and battling large shopping crowds, the Herald Sun reports.
While some of the larger shopping centres offer free parking, note there are some which charge. It always pays to check before heading out so you’re not stung by sharp fees.
Apps like Park Me, Parkhound, Cheap Parking and iParked Here are all designed to help drivers score free or cheap parking or locate available spaces.
Be careful before jumping in the car to head to your local mall as not all offer free parking
HOW LONG LEFT TO SHOP ONLINE?
If leaving the comfort of your home at this time of year seems too much, and we can’t blame you, then shopping online is your go-to solution.
While there are only 72 hours left before the big day itself, it’s still possible to shop and get gifts delivered directly to your door.
Again, leading the charge for convenience shopping is the retail giant, David Jones.
A range of options are still available to Christmas shoppers who can’t make it to the store in time (stock image)
The store is offering various festive delivery options, depending on whether you live in Sydney.
Sydneysiders can receive same-day delivery for $15, although 1pm Saturday 23 is the cut-off time for Christmas deliveries.
‘Click and Collect’ is also available across all Australian David Jones stores on items purchased by 1pm and collected after 4pm.
OUTSOURCE YOUR SHOPPING TO THE PROFESSIONALS
Whether you want to recruit someone to do your Christmas shopping, hand-write your Christmas cards, source and collect your decorations or put up a gift you can’t be bothered dealing with, the job-sharing economy has grown three-fold this year.
And with people more tech-savvy but time-poor than ever, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Got a trampoline you need assembling for your little ones on Christmas eve? Hit up Airtasker, who offer skilled and trustworthy people in any task or field.
The site have reported a huge surge in requests for people who can build trampolines, hand-write cards, wrap gifts, source Kris Kringle presents and bake homemade pavlovas this year.
And they’re not alone on the outsourcing bandwagon. Other sites including Sherpa, ASAP and Ladies Running Errands can all help you get what you need and when – at the click of a button of course.
SHOPPING THE BEST DEALS
Once upon a time you had to wait until Christmas was over to snap up the best deals.
Not anymore.
A whole host of retail giants and popular labels have already began marking down items, ensuring you can pick up some quality, yet affordable gifts for your loved ones (or for yourself).
Though Christmas time is traditionally one of buying for nearest and dearest, it can also be a great time to snap up a few bargains for yourself (stock image)
NEED SOME LAST-MINUTE GIFTSPIRATION?
If you’re still struggling to think of the perfect gifts for your loved ones, there are places you can go for some last minute inspiration.
The Myer Christmas Giftorium is specifically designed as your one-stop shop for all your gift-giving needs.
There, you can personalise Nutella jars, pick up skincare sets or even find gifts for your cat or dog.
But when in serious doubt – or you’re just wanting to play things safe for a fussy relative – a voucher from a major retailer will never go astray.