With Christmas just days away, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan are forecasting Aussies to spend in excess of $21 billion across the ‘Food retailing’ category during the festive season, a 3.7% growth from the previous year, with retailers preparing to serve up a feast this festive season.
Consistent with the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) most recent retail trade figures data, the ‘Food retailing’ category has remained constant throughout 2018 with a dependable 3.90% year-on-year growth, and the ARA are hopeful this trend will extend throughout the festive season.
Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said with extended trading hours in effect, retailers will be feasting their eyes on an impressive retail trade in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Retailers have been busy stocking their shelves to welcome in the rush of shoppers who will be visiting stores to tick-off food and beverage items from their shopping lists before the shops close on Christmas day,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“We anticipate shoppers will be pilling their trolleys and baskets with fresh produce and traditional festive treats to fill their tables with and indulge in the joy of Christmas with their friends and families.”
According to supermarket retailer Woolworths, over 400,00 kilograms (kg) of turkeys are expected to be sold in the lead-up to Christmas, with a further 2.2 million kg of ham and 1.2 million kg of fresh prawns to be purchased throughout the festive season.
Steve Plarre, CEO and Director of Ferguson and Plarre Bakehouses has also noticed a substantial lift this year, with traditional mince tarts, puddings and new gourmet lemon tarts making up 30% of all sales.
“Sales have been incredibly strong over the Christmas period, with an astounding 78% growth in Christmas sales which can be attributed to our Christmas catalogue letter box and online sales,” Mr Plarre said.
The ‘Hospitality’ category is also expected to increase, with the ARA and Roy Morgan estimating Aussies will spend $7.3 billion across the category throughout the pre-Christmas trading period, a 3.2% growth from last year.
“As Christmas is such a monumental event, we expect to see more consumers turning to cafés and restaurants to alleviate the pressure that arises throughout the bustling Christmas season,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“The festive season is fundamentally about the gift of sharing and whether you’re dishing up a of feast of homemade delights or treating your family and friends to a day out, tables across Australia will be plentiful with Christmas celebrations.”
ARA Roy Morgan Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions
November 9 – December 24, 2018
2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by Category
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2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by State
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