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Welcome to the
ARA Peak Season Hub
Spending Forecasts
Pre-Christmas
$69.8 billion
Pre-Christmas sales forecast, up 2.7% on 2023
Black Friday Weekend
$6.7 billion
Projected retail sales for the four-day weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, up 5.5% on 2023
Gifting Insights
$11.8 billion
Forecast for 2024 gift spending, up $1.6 billion on 2023
16.7 million
Australians will be buying Christmas gifts in total this year, up 1% on 2023
$707
Average spend per shopper forecasted for 2024, up $61 on 2023
Resources
Tips for a smooth peak season
Parcel prep, lodgement and more peak know-how.
Holiday Shopping Now Starts Earlier for Most Aussies
Shopify surveyed 2,000 Australian consumers ahead of this year’s Black Friday-Cyber Monday (BFCM) sales, which once again projects to be a frenzy for consumers and retailers alike.
Almost half (49%) of Australian consumers intend to do the majority of their holiday shopping that weekend (29 November to 2 December).
Bought to you by
2024
Meta Holiday
Insights
Read on to unwrap insights and strategic tips to boost your business success during the most wonderful time of the year.
Bought to you by
2024
Retail Holiday Planning Guide
In the 2024 Retail Holiday Planning Guide, Salesforce reveal the key to winning peak holiday season (psst! It’s data!) and show you four ways to stand out to shoppers this year.
Bought to you by
Deloitte Access Economics Retail Forecasts
Deloitte Access Economics’ latest report reveals how retailers are bracing for the impact of high costs, insolvencies and a weakening labour market.
Bought to you by
Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary
2024 - 2025
Presenting the Christmas & Holidays Trading Hours Summary for 2024-2025, a practical resource designed to guide retailers through this busy period.
This page outlines trading hours for the upcoming summer shopping season, providing an overview of when businesses are expected to open and close their doors during the festive holiday period depending on their location and exemption status.
Media
Stay up to date with the ARA’s latest media release updates this holiday season
Christmas comes early for retailers as Aussies buy sooner and spend more
Australians are embracing the festive spirit early in 2024, with a majority of shoppers (53%) having already purchased gifts as of mid-October. New Roy Morgan data, commissioned by the Australian
Holiday Shopping Now Starts Earlier for Most Aussies
53% of Australians finalise their holiday shopping lists by October, a number that jumps to 70% for those with kids living at home. 29% of Australians will do their festive
Black Friday sales a winner this Christmas as cost-of-living continues to bite
Retailers are welcoming an expected $69.7 billion boost in retail sales during the six-week peak season lead up to Christmas, marking a 2.7% increase on last year’s figures. This new
Training Opportunties
Retail Services Programs
Are you looking to recruit Christmas casuals?
The Australian Retailers Association is currently offering several Certificate II in Retail Services programs across Sydney, preparing graduates just in time for the holiday rush.
Our graduates will have excellent customer service skills including the art of engaging and managing customers to ensure they are retail ready to add value to your teams.
This is the perfect opportunity to source your next recruits directly from our programs at no cost. If you are looking for staff, please reach out to the ARA Retail Institute to learn more.
Micro-Course
Handling customer aggression during the holiday season
The holiday season can be a stressful time for everyone, including customers.
Prepare yourself and your team with this micro-course to confidently and effectively manage challenging customer situations during the busy Christmas period.
Learn strategies to diffuse tensions while ensuring a positive shopping experience for everyone, minimizing negative impacts on you, your colleagues, other shoppers, and the customer.
Retail Therapy Podcast
Peak Season Bonus Episodes 2024
Looking for more insights? Dive into the ARA’s highly acclaimed Retail Therapy podcast! Discover our special Peak Season episodes below and stay tuned for more exciting releases coming your way.
Live from the ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast: Trends shaping holiday 2024
In this special episode of Retail Therapy, we’re bringing you the highlights from the recent ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast, where retail’s top leaders shared their expert perspectives on this
AI & Retail: Preparing for Peak Season with Meta’s Kate Box
In this special episode of Retail Therapy, we’re diving into the heart of peak season preparations with two expert voices in retail and technology. Fleur Brown, Chief Industry Affairs Officer
Delivering for Peak Season: Australia Post’s Holiday Prep with Gary Starr
In this episode of Retail Therapy, ARA CEO Paul Zahra sits down with Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services at Australia Post, to explore how the iconic postal
Black Friday to Boxing Day: What’s ahead for retailers and consumers with Craig Woolford
In this special peak season episode of Retail Therapy, Paul Zahra is joined by Craig Woolford, Senior Retail Analyst in the Consumer Sector at MST Marquee. Together, they explore what’s
Peak season spending insights with Laura Demasi from Roy Morgan
In this special Peak Season episode of Retail Therapy, we are joined by Laura Demasi, Head of Retail Research and Social and Consumer Trends at Roy Morgan. With over 15
Employment Relations:
End of Year Party Management
Employment Relations:
Recruitment – Tips and Tricks for Christmas casuals
Australia Post's 2024 Christmas Lodgement Dates
Australia Post’s recommended last lodgement dates are based on where you’re sending from and sending to.
Encouraging your customers to shop early will give their deliveries the best chance of arriving in time for Christmas.
Thank you to our Hub Partner
