Nearly half of Australian Christmas shoppers will be cutting it close and leaving their shopping to the very last week, according to the latest research by Australia Post.
While November continues to be the most popular time to start Christmas shopping, only 11 per cent of Australians were likely to have finished their search for the perfect gift by the start of December, while the same amount won't even start their shopping till Christmas Eve.
Surveying more than 2,000 Australians[i], Australia Post's Group Chief Operating Officer Bob Black said that a majority of shoppers were completing their lists during the most hectic time of the month.
"Australian shoppers will buy on average about ten presents this Christmas, and while we see more and more people getting in early with their shopping with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, we also know that some people won't start until the days before Christmas," Mr Black said.
He also reminded Australians that are leaving their Christmas shopping to the last minute, that they could still send gifts to loved ones through Australia Post's Express Post Service.
"We are in the thick of our peak right now, having delivered over 2 million parcels each business day in December and achieved our biggest day ever on Monday, delivering more than 3 million parcels – so it's time to get any urgent presents in the post," said Mr Black.
"If you want to make sure your gift is under the Christmas tree this year, post your Express Post parcel by Monday 23 December – but check that your delivery address is covered first."
Australia Post's Express Post Next Day Delivery Guarantee covers 80% of Australian business addresses, private addresses and Post Office Boxes.
Australia Post is also offering extended trading hours for more than 190 of its post offices across the country.
Along with extended trading hours, customers also can collect their Christmas gifts at a free 24/7 parcel locker in over 370 locations across the country, and can track their deliveries online.
Extended trading will continue until Sunday, December 22. For more information visit www.auspost.com.au/Christmas.
[i] The Consumer Omnibus Survey is an online quarterly survey with proportionate representation across age, gender and state, as well as metropolitan and rural Australia.
