With many department stores holding sensational mid-year toy sales in recent months, Christmas shopping has been finished early for many Australian families, especially those with small children. So perhaps it’s no surprise that holiday wrapping paper, cards, and decorations are already appearing in those same stores before Father’s Day, to encourage shoppers to continue their seasonal bend.

The mid-year sales were a smashing success for both buyers and sellers. Prices for popular toys, such as Nintendo Wii, Razor Ripsticks, and Transformers, were discounted 40% or even 50%, and many Australian families cashed in. The stores are also celebrating, with Target advertising their sale three weeks in advance. Big W toy store had its single best sales day in its Australian history on the first day of its discounting.

The sales allowed many families with young children to finish Christmas shopping well in advance, finding the toys and presents they wanted at excellent savings while avoiding the last-minute rush, a seasonal nightmare for mothers dragging youngsters through packed stores looking for bargains that may no longer be there.

As a sign of the success of the earliest sales, Australians used their charge and credit cards for $19.365 billion worth of purchases in June, according to figures provided by the Reserve Bank of Australia. This is the highest level to date in 2009 and the highest since December 2008, when cardholders used their plastic for a $21.043 billion spree.

But don’t worry, Australians are shopping responsibly. In June, cardholders also paid up, making $19.303 billion in repayments on their accounts. The average balance rose by only 2.1% between June of this year and June of 2008, to $3127.05.

Although Australian retail sales fell −1.4% in June from May, sales are still 7.9% higher than they were in June of 2008.

For those who missed out, numerous stores are planning a second round of sales in October.

Source : News.com.au
Source : The Age
Source : Retail Digital