Aussies are set to spend $5.4 billion across the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping period, new research from the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan indicates.
Buoyed by Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra's exit from lockdowns, the organisations predict the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales will meet or even exceed last year's records.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said November is now Australia’s biggest shopping month of the year.
"For the past two years, November has beaten December as the biggest month for Australian retail sales throughout the year.
"Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be credited with this trend as people snap up some bargains and shop early for Christmas.
"We’re forecasting consumers to spend $5.4 billion over the four-day sales period. What began as an American shopping tradition has been embraced by Australians in a big way.
"This event is renowned for having the biggest pre-Christmas in-store and online bargains.
"The Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales provide strong momentum for Australian retailers heading into Christmas.
"The Christmas trading quarter is the most critical time of year on the retail calendar when most discretionary retailers make up to two thirds of their profits," he said.
However, Zahra added that consumers must be mindful of the ongoing supply chain disruptions when conducting their shopping.
"With our supply chains under significant pressure, consumers need to be shopping early if they want their products to arrive in time for Christmas.
"There are several issues that retailers are navigating at the moment - everything from COVID impacts, shipping delays and threats of industrial action from port workers and delivery drivers.
"There’s a perfect storm of issues so consumers need to get in quick to ensure they get the products they want," he said.
The Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping event runs from Friday November 26 to Monday November 29 2021.