The long-awaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in Australian cinemas this week, and retailers are cashing in on the hype.
Australian luxury brand Oroton is among retailers releasing limited-edition ranges in line with the launch.
Data from cloud-based point of sale company, Vend shows that Australian retailers selling Star Wars-related products and memorabilia have seen a 202% increase in December sales so far, compared to the same time last year.
Sales in these stores have been steadily increasing since November as Australian shoppers rush to buy memorabilia in the lead-up to Christmas.
To date the biggest day for Star Wars purchases has been 10 December.
Apart from Star Wars collectables, what other purchases are customers stocking up on?
Vend’s 2014 data showed the biggest sales uplift to be in furniture and homewares stores in December - 116% higher than the November average.
This was followed closely by book stores (93%) and toys and games stores (61%).
Sales on 23 December were 61% higher than the monthly average, while sales on Christmas Eve declined by 5%.
The Star Wars effect:
- 202% sales increase in stores selling Star Wars products
- 192% retail spending increase in stores selling Star Wars products
- 210% more Star Wars stock being held by stores
December retail sales increases by store:
1. Furniture and homewares - 116%
2. Books - 93%
3. Toys and games - 61%
4. Jewellery - 53%
5. Sporting goods - 52%