9.7 million Aussies will splurge on Boxing Day deals

• • • • Clothes and shoes top the sales wish list
      • Victorians most-hungry for Boxing Day sales
      • How to shop the sales like a pro

23 December, 2019, Sydney, Australia – Millions of Aussies will bag a bargain during the Boxing Day sales according to Finder, Australia's most visited comparison site.

A recent Finder survey of 1,047 respondents revealed that one in two (50%) Aussie adults plan to shop the post-Christmas sales. This equates to roughly 9.7 million people hunting for an end-of-year discount.

Over a third (38%) of shoppers will splurge on new clothes and shoes, while 32% will stock up on discounted food and alcohol.

Electronics, cosmetics and manchester round out the top five purchases Aussies will cross off their shopping list this Boxing Day.

Kate Browne, personal finance expert at Finder, said it pays to jump online the night before and check for any early Boxing Day deals.

"Some retailers are kick-starting their sales online during Christmas Day. This means eager shoppers can swoop in a day early and beat the crowds.

"Other stores will launch their Boxing Day sales from midnight onwards. But if you're planning to shop in-store, you'll need to wait until trading starts in the morning.

"This is a great opportunity to spend some Christmas cash or pick up last-minute gifts for friends and relatives you haven't seen yet," Browne said.

Victorians are the most likely to indulge in some Boxing Day retail therapy, with 58% planning to hit the shops. Just 42% of Queenslanders will be doing the same.

Baby Boomers are the most likely to give the sales a miss, with less than a quarter (24%) planning on participating. In comparison, 73% of Gen Z and 68% of Gen X plan to nab a discount.

Browne said shoppers should exercise a degree of caution at the checkout and be selective about where they purchase.

"Retailers may stock similar products, but they won't necessarily mark them down by the same amount. Make sure you compare prices online and in-store before buying.

"Remember to use price match guarantees from stores like JB Hi-Fi, David Jones and Bunnings, and always double check the store's returns policy," Browne said.

Head to https://www.findershopping.com.au/boxing-day-sales to see what discounts your favourite brands are offering.

What will you buy in the Boxing Day sales?

Who will shop the most?

Source: Finder survey, Nov 2019

How to shop the sales like a pro

• Shop online. Avoid the congested scrum of shoppers this Boxing Day by purchasing items online instead. Make sure you take any shipping costs into account when shopping to avoid blowing the budget.
• Compare your options. Items sold by smaller retailers may be stocked at larger department stores or outlets for less. Make sure you compare across stores before purchasing.
• Know your measurements. Sales items are often non-refundable. To avoid disappointment, make sure you're buying the correct size based on your measurements, and not the garment size alone. Sizes can differ significantly across brands, so it pays to know your numbers.
• Plan ahead. Do you have any birthdays or special anniversaries coming up? Stock up on presents during the sales and save yourself some cash down the track.