All year bargains harmful
USUALLY it's the post-Christmas period that is the time to get a shopping bargain - but it may be a different story this year.
Widespread pre-Christmas discounting, by as much as 50% in some department and chain stores, could see fewer customers rushing to Boxing Day sales today.
While Australian retailers are expecting to share in $14.8 billion in post-Christmas sales, Queensland University of Technology business lecturer Gary Mortimer is tipping sales will be down on previous years.
"My personal projection will be that Boxing Day sales post Christmas will be softer than last year," he said.
"Generally, because the strong price cutting and discounting in the lead up to Christmas."
Dr Mortimer said the risk of constantly driving bigger discounts was sensitising customers to expect discounts.
He also pointed out the increase in online shopping and the impact on the traditional, in-store form of Christmas shopping.
"The growth rate of online shopping this year is about 25% and while a majority of that were Australian products in the domestic market, it still has an impact on in-store, bricks and mortar sales," he said.
