NATIONAL: Australian consumers flouted the urge to save over Christmas with more industry reports indicating trade was the same or better than the previous year.
A survey by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) this week found 62 per cent of businesses felt activity had not declined over December 2008 and 44 per cent saying it was better than anticipated.
ARA executive Richard Evans said 57 per cent of retailers also reported the federal government's stimulus package had made an impact on trade.
Post-Christmas sales were expected to continue for longer than usual but 68 per cent of retailers said activity was already the same or better than 2007, Evans said.
A report from the Australian Centre For Retail Studies attributed the hive of activity to create strategies from both consumers and businesses.
"Many retailers brought sales forward and at the same time consumers have resorted to the marketplace tradition of bargaining," its 'Retail Insights' report stated.
It wasn't all good news over Christmas, however, with sales of leisure and luxury goods down by 34.5 per cent. Average spend was also down with gifts purchased for an average amount of $52.10, a decline from $55.70 from 2007.
For news on how heavy discounting impacted overall turnover for Christmas trade, pick up a copy of Ragtrader's January 16, 2009 issue. On newsstands tomorrow.