The atmosphere at Wollongong Central transformed on Friday as the annual Black Friday sales brought both dedicated shoppers and curious browsers to the retail hub. While regular CBD workers maintained their usual routines, they were joined by crowds eager to capitalise on the much-anticipated discount event.
Record-Breaking Spending Forecast
According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in partnership with Roy Morgan, Australians are projected to spend an unprecedented $6.8 billion throughout the Black Friday to Cyber Monday weekend. This staggering figure highlights the growing significance of the sales period in the Australian retail calendar, occurring just weeks before Christmas.
Shoppers Share Their Strategies
Among those navigating the shopping centre were Shari Swan and Ryan Waine, who combined birthday celebrations with bargain hunting. "All the stores that we probably gravitate to more, we will go and have a look for sure," Ms Swan commented. Mr Waine added that their approach had become more financially savvy, noting, "A little bit smarter, we're saving a little bit more money." He also revealed this marked his first serious look at Christmas purchases.
Samantha Dijkman travelled from Ulladulla specifically to access the sales. "I think there are good deals and it's also right before Christmas as well," she explained. As someone who primarily shops online, the trip to Wollongong Central offered the valuable opportunity to view products in person before buying.
Mixed Reactions and Retailer Expectations
Not every shopper was planning significant purchases. Ethan Roberts admitted his spending would be restrained due to upcoming travel plans. "I haven't really been taking advantage too much these days, because I'm saving up because flights are pretty outrageous at the moment," he said. Mr Roberts also revealed he finds online advertising more compelling than in-store promotions, particularly emails from retailers containing discount codes.
Meanwhile, retail staff at Wollongong Central reported steady foot traffic throughout the day, with one worker describing it as "consistent, but not busy." They anticipated even larger crowds would arrive over the weekend as the sales continued.
The blend of determined buyers and cautious browsers created a dynamic shopping environment in Wollongong, reflecting broader national trends as Australian consumers navigate both bargain opportunities and economic pressures in the lead-up to the holiday season.
