Hordes of shoppers have patiently queued outside Perth’s top retail destinations before snapping up Boxing Day bargains, with clothing, shoes and accessories among the big drawcards.
Daniel Bradshaw, boss of trendy youth label StreetX, said customers started queuing outside the William Street store at 10pm on Sunday and a 30 metre line still snaked outside the building around 11.30am after an 8am opening.
“Hopefully we’ll clear that line by the end of the day — it’s just about getting as many kids through as possible,” Mr Bradshaw told The West Australian.
“It’s been strong … comparable with last year and probably even better for us.
“We’re used to big lines, though, so we’re not really surprised but it’s definitely great to have.
“This is the one day of the year we do an in-store sale.”
Mr Bradshaw said he expected the business would have served 800-1000 customers by day’s end, noting the mood had been relaxed.
“Everyone’s happy to wait and chill,” he said.
First-time Boxing Day sales shopper Rhys Macdonald gathered with his mates outside another Aussie youth fashion label, Oli in Northbridge, around 4am.
“It’s been long — an early wake up,” the 16-year-old said.
“There was probably 25 people in front of us.
“It’s been really good, well enjoyed. We came with chairs and we’re just relaxing.
“Wicked: I got $400 worth of stuff for $190.”
The crew pushed on after their Oli experience, and Rhys said he expected to have dropped $1000 on clothes in the sales.
Cars queued for several kilometres outside the DFO near Perth Airport, but drivers were similarly laidback as traffic managers kept vehicles flowing.
So too were shoppers inside, despite yet more lengthy queues outside their favourite stores.
A 22-year-old woman who was among at least 100 lining up to enter handbag store Coach said she’d asked for cash for Christmas so she could get what she wanted, doing research online but saving her purchases for in-store.
“I get carried away when it’s online,” she laughed.
Chris Hodges cooled his heels outside the DFO with daughters Grace and Chloe while waiting for his wife Crystal to emerge with a handbag, tapping out after about an hour.
“We didn’t realise it would be this crazy, probably should have guessed,” he said.
“To come out and brave the crowds with kids is tough.
“I didn’t actually buy anything but my wife bought some sportswear. There’s some good bargains if you can be bothered lining up.
“Don’t know if I’d do it again, though.”
Ms Hodges appeared keen to, however, saying the rising cost of living made the motivation to shop smartly stronger than ever.
“How crazy is it but how good? I got some bargains,” she said.
Lee Hogan and Alison Gregory were on a swimwear hunt before departing on a South West holiday.
“I’ve never been to a Boxing Day sale – I avoid crowds – but we go tomorrow and wanted this stuff,” Ms Gregory said.
The Australian Retailers Association predicts consumers will spend a record $23.5 billion nationwide during post-Christmas sales – an increase of 7.9 per cent over last year.
The ARA forecasts $2.6 billion of that will be dropped in WA, up 6 per cent from $2.45 billion previously.
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