A last-minute Christmas shopping rush will kick off today as customers chase gifts for loved ones and food for the holiday season.
Schools have finished for the year and millions of families will complete their final tasks and supermarket run to stock up on fresh produce for the festive break.
Figures show one in five Australians would only start their shopping in the week leading up to Christmas, with men found to be the last to join the festive spirit.
A Christmas shopping rush kicks off today as customers hunt last-minute deals (stock picture)
With Australian’s expected to splash more than $50billion this festive season, stores across the country have extended their trading hours for some last minute spending (stock image)
Around 12 per cent of males planned to knock off their lists after December 18, compared to just one per cent of women
Around 12 per cent of males planned to knock off their lists after December 18, compared to just one per cent of women, according to new Australia Post figures.
Retailers such as Westfield, Chadstone, Myer, David Jones, Woolworth and Coles will keep their doors open for present procrastinators, with some even offering all-night bargain buying opportunities.
Westfield Sydney will extend their hours until 7pm on December 23 while those looking to get their last minute gifts in Victoria can head to then Melbourne’s Chadstone with the shopping centre opening for a mammoth 34 hours of trade between December 23 and Christmas Eve.
Sydney’s George Street Myer will also allow for more time to pick out presents, staying open 8am until midnight from December 20-23.
One report found it’s not just in-store deals that Australian’s are keen to splash out on but fresh food bought especially for the occasion
One in five Australians admitted to only starting their shopping in the week leading up to Christmas. (Shoppers are pictured in Sydney on Boxing Day last year)
The Christmas Day feast is by far the the country most expensive meal of the year according to new data released by Commonwealth Bank
Health and beauty store Priceline has slashed costs, with some items marked down to a fraction of their normal price.
Budget clothing chain Cotton On has cut prices by over 50 per cent, offering super special deals on their line of Christmas cards and decorations.
Technology and homewares giant Harvey Norman has huge sales on a range of products including super cheap Samsung Galaxy tablets and Nikon digital cameras.
Australians were expected to spend more than $50 billion this Christmas period, which kicked off on November 15.
Consumers already forked out an estimated $23.65 billion online before October this year.
One report found it’s not just in-store deals that Australian’s are keen to splash out on but fresh food bought especially for the occasion.
Consumers have forked out an estimated $23.65 billion online before October (stock picture)
| Westfield Sydney (NSW) | Westfield Marion (SA) | Chadstone (VIC) | Forrest Chase (WA) | The Myer Centre (QLD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 18 | 9.30am – 9pm | 9am – 9pm | 9am – 12am | 8am – 9pm | 9am – 7pm |
| 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 |
The Christmas Day feast is by far the the country most expensive meal of the year according to new data released by Commonwealth Bank.
CommBank customers spent around $54 million on groceries last Christmas Eve.
Christmas’ closest competitor is the Easter meal which Australian’s spend approximately $42 million on annually.
Christmas Eve was pinpointed as the single biggest grocery spending day of the year in 2016, meaning 14 shopping bags bursting with pudding, glazed hams, Christmas crackers, and more, were flying off supermarket shelves every second.
Wising up to the Christmas crush, more Aussies than ever are ditching the stress of the kitchen, taking favour to dining out, with restaurant spending on Christmas Day up 30 per cent in 2016 compared with 2015.