SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – In order to stock up on supplies ahead of the Christmas holiday season, Australians thronged shopping malls and supermarkets on Thursday and spent money that would have normally gone towards overseas travel.
As the pandemic has restricted travel and social activities, people turned to home cooking and entertainment for their leisure and spent up.
According to official data, Australian retail sales rebounded a stronger-than-expected 1.4% in October. Other figures hint at a solid recovery in the A$2 trillion ($1.5 trillion) economy.
Most of the spending has gone to online sellers. However, with the easing of the curbs on movement amid low infections, shoppers have begun visiting malls and other outlets.
“I thought maybe we would be doing a lot more online shopping, so I feel really lucky that we can go into stores and have that physical experience,” said Jordan McCormack, a Sydney shopper. “When you look around at how busy the mall is, it’s like old times.”
Another Sydney shopper Laticia Francini said she had family back in Italy where lockdowns had resumed. “We’re one of the luckiest countries in the world right now”.
According to estimates of the Australian Retailers Association, there will be an increase in sales by 3.9% after Christmas Day on Dec. 25, when many shops offer discounts and people splurge on stimulus benefits.