White line fever as Black Friday sales herald Christmas trade period, jobs bonanza

It’s the busiest trading day on Rundle Mall’s calendar and, today, the starter’s gun fires on the lucrative Christmas retail period, with stores across the state bracing for the annual Black Friday sales extravaganza.

Three days after SA re-opened its borders to fully vaccinated interstate travellers, thousands of consumers, including recently reunited family and friends, are expected to descend on the city and suburbs to snap up a bargain at the popular Black Friday sales today.

And if you’re in the market for a job – there’s never been a better time – with more than 11,000 SA job vacancies currently being advertised on SEEK and CareerOne search platforms alone, including in-demand Christmas casual sales positions.

“Today the starter’s gun is fired on the critical Christmas retail trading period, with the Black Friday sales expected to generate millions in economic activity in SA which is great for local jobs,” said Treasurer Rob Lucas.

Black Friday – the Friday following Thanksgiving in the United States – is gaining increased momentum and popularity here, with the Australian Retailers Association predicting that Australian consumers will spend a record $5.4 billion over the four-day shopping period between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November 29) this year.

Many Rundle Mall retailers have jumped at the chance to open until midnight tonight (rather than 9pm) – allowed under a special Ministerial exemption granted by Treasurer Rob Lucas for the city and suburbs.

Department stores David Jones and Myer as well as fashion, beauty and accessories retailers Sephora, MECCA, Country Road, Nike, Cotton On, Pandora, Doc Martens, General Pants and Sportsgirl are among those who have advised they will be opening until midnight, with Rundle Mall hosting DJs and pop up food stalls to add to the shopping fun.

“With our borders now open to fully vaccinated interstate visitors, this is the perfect opportunity for local retailers to capitalise on pent-up consumer demand, with the Australian Retailers Association forecasting sales over the next four days to reach a record $5.4 billion nationally,” said Mr Lucas.

“After more than 18 months of COVID, where any local businesses have been struggling to stay afloat – and pent-up consumer demand, particularly from NSW and Victorian consumers after their long, arduous lockdowns – there’s never been a more critical time to roll out the welcome mat and give our retailers the opportunity to trade.

“In SA, local employers are in a race against time to fill thousands of job vacancies, including full and part-time permanent positions and Christmas casual roles.

“This is reflective of the Marshall Government’s commitment to strong, ongoing COVID recovery, with more full-time people employed in South Australia than ever before.”

Extended shop trading hours over the Christmas/New Year period continue on Sunday, with all shops in the city and suburbs able to trade two hours earlier from 9am, if they choose.

Extended trading hours permitted under special Ministerial exemption:

Today – Black Friday (November 26)

Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between the hours of 9pm and 12 midnight on Friday, 26 November 2021.

Pre-Christmas trade

Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between the hours of

  • 9am and 11am on Sundays, 28 November, 5 December, 12 December and 19 December 2021
  • 9pm and 12 midnight on Thursday 16 December, Friday 17 December and Thursday 23 December
  • 5pm and 6pm on Saturday 18 December and Sunday 19 December

Boxing Day – Sunday December 26

  • Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
  • Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm

Monday December 27 and Tuesday December 28

  • Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
  • Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm

New Year’s Day – January 1

  • Non-exempt shops within the suburbs can trade from 11am to 5pm
  • Non-exempt shops within the CBD are already permitted under the Act to trade until 5pm

Sunday, January 2

  • Non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs are exempt between 9am and 11am

Monday, January 3

  • Non-exempt shops within the CBD can open 2 hours earlier from 9am to 5pm
  • Non-exempt shops across the suburbs can now trade between 9am and 5pm

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