A record number of gifts under the Christmas tree have likely been purchased online this year, as Australia Post scrambles to deliver more than a million packages to Queensland this week.
Key points:
- People over 12 must wear masks at all times in stores under current COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland
- Australians expected to spend $ 60.8 billion between November 15 and Christmas Day, NRA says
- Australia Post says its staff in Queensland have delivered more than 1.45 million packages this week so far
The National Retail Association (NRA) predicts a 51% increase in online sales across Australia this Christmas, worth a total of $ 8.2 billion.
But NRA chief executive Dominique Lamb said overall spending would likely be even higher.
“Australians are expected to spend $ 60.8 billion between November 15 and Christmas Day,” she said.
“In the last three days before Christmas we know the people of Queensland will spend $ 1.6 billion, which is an increase of around 5% from last year’s figures.
An Australia Post spokeswoman said her staff in Queensland had delivered more than 1.45 million packages so far this week, including 500,000 packages as of Monday alone.
Buyers hide
Under the current COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, people over 12 must wear masks at all times in malls, supermarkets and stores.
Amie Kinnane said she was a little nervous about venturing into Brisbane’s Chermside shopping center with her children amid the growing number of cases.
“But Christmas photos with Santa Claus are kind of a priority in our family,” Ms. Kinnane said.
“It’s a tradition, so we’re here and doing everything we can to really distance ourselves from others.
But Fiona Stager, co-owner of Avid Reader bookstore in downtown West End, said online sales didn’t match the experience of choosing a gift in-store.
“Now that we’re lucky that we can be in a safe COVID environment, people want to come, because there is nothing quite like flipping through a book in a bookstore,” Ms. Stager said.
“They also want to buy local.”
Buy from the Bush returns online
A pop-up store filled with goods made in rural Queensland is trying to clear its shelves before closing on December 30.
Buy from Bush founder Kerri Brennan said the campaign started on social media in 2018 to provide an additional source of income for drought-stricken farmers and now has grown to more than 50 small businesses.
“Everything from leather goods and jewelry, to linen, clothing, candles, soaps, cured meats, jams and chutneys… toys for children,” Ms. Brennan said.
“The money goes into the hands of a rural Queensland family.”
After a year of trading in Brisbane’s inner suburbs at New Farm, Buy from the Bush is set to close its doors and open a new online store.
“COVID has made the year difficult for our little store,” Ms. Brennan said.
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