Wait until Boxing Day or buy online and save!

Latest reports suggest retailers are doing it tough with a report today stating that 75% of retailers surveyed report flat or worse trading than this time last year. 

There’s immense competition from online retails (which offer the same product at a significant saving to the high street) and people aren’t spending as much as they usually do because of interest rates rises in the second half of 2010.  Indicators are suggesting that mortgage stress is still on the incline and people are generally cautious of the global and local economic conditions with fresh memories of the GFC.

Government inquiries have been established to determine how much impact online trading is having of local retail but with the Australian dollar at all-time highs, why wouldn't you purchase from an overseas website where savings are a plenty and you don’t pay GST for items under $1,000??

A report on the radio this morning indicated that last minute Christmas shoppers will benefit from pre-Christmas mark down to attract buyers over last couple of days before the big fella arrives.  In the same report, a “retail expert” advised that it would still be better to wait until after Boxing Day because the savings will be even greater.

It’s a tough choice, whether to buy now, enjoy the spirit of Christmas and be able to give a gift on the day (only to see the same purchase reduced by up to 50% the day after the gift was given) or give a little something on Christmas Day to celebrate the moment and then knock yourself out at the sales knowing you’ve not only saved money but probably been able to get a little be more because of the money you’ve saved….that’s what’s really happens, right?

Either way, if you shop around you’re bound to pick up a few bargains this holiday season.