blueprints: paying for Christmas

Thomas Hounslow

bluenotes contributor

There was a time where the only thing a child wanted for Christmas was a new bike, a hula hoop or a yo-yo. Now the kids are demanding iPads, drones and artificially-intelligent teddy bears.

It’s no surprise then three-quarters of Australian shoppers are burning through their savings at Christmas time.

Research indicates Santa’s largesse is barely putting a dent in the costs of Christmas: one in five Australians are unable to stick to their budget. More than one third of shoppers are putting that extra spending on their credit cards.

" Research indicates Santa is barely putting a dent in the costs of Christmas."

But it’s not just the shoppers who are moving away from physical sales - retailers are changing their ways as customers head online searching for better bargains and sales.

These trends, on the consumer and merchant side, are actually shifting the festive shopping season – along with other fundamental elements of competition.

Navigate the interactive infographic below to discover when most retailers are starting their sales. Here’s a hint: the majority are not waiting for Boxing Day.

The views and opinions expressed in this communication are those of the author and may not necessarily state or reflect those of ANZ.