Easter trading will provide a “sweet boost” for retailers with spending across DIY projects, travel and food expected to elevate the national retail economy this April, according to new data from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown says that while overall consumer spending remains subdued, Australians are continuing to spend on the things that matter most.
“Australians continue to choose to spend their hard-earned dollars on quality time with their loved ones during special events, travel and projects around the home,” she says.
“After an immensely challenging past year, retailers across food and homeware sectors will be eagerly anticipating this Easter spending uptick as Australians turn their attention to home-maintenance projects.”
DIY projects
- 6.2 million Australians are planning to use the Easter break for DIY projects around the home, with a total spend of $6.7 billion nationwide, and an average spend of $1082 per person, up $230 (up 27%) on last year’s figures.
- In Queensland, that figure is higher in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with the state likely to see a cash injection of $2.2 billion across the category of DIY and homewares, up $400 million (up 6.3%) on last year. This is compared to an expected spend of $1.7 billion in NSW and $1.2 billion in Victoria.
Travel
- 4.55 million people – 100,000 more Australians than last year – are projected to use the Easter break for travel this year than in 2024, with an estimated spend of $11.1 billion on both interstate and overseas trips.
- Older generations are embracing the opportunity for an adventure, with one million people aged 50-64 and one million people aged 65 and over saying they will be travelling over Easter this year.
Sweet tooth
- 15.2 million Australians are planning to splurge on Easter food and chocolate this year, with a total food spend of $2.2 billion.
- NSW and Victoria are set to receive the main share of Easter food spending, both at $710 million, followed by Queensland at $320 million, Western Australia at $270 million, South Australia at $120 million and Tasmania at $50 million.
- People in Victoria are ready to spend $173 each, slightly higher than NSW ($148), but both are above the national average of $145 each.
