Australian businesses could be set for another Father's Day spending boost, with ANZ customer data revealing strong spending uplifts across hospitality, gifting and entertainment categories in 2025.
Analysis of ANZ customer spending over the 2025 Father's Day weekend found Australians spent more than $656 million, with spending increasing across a range of categories linked to gifting, dining out and shared family experiences compared with a normal weekend.*
The biggest spending uplift was recorded at newsagents and book retailers, where spending surged 25.8 per cent. Spending on takeaway alcohol also rose sharply, increasing 19.2 per cent, while movie cinemas recorded a 15.5 per cent increase as families turned to shared experiences to celebrate the occasion.
Hospitality also enjoyed a strong uplift. Spending at cafes and restaurants increased 13.4 per cent, generating an additional $6.9 million in spending over the Father's Day weekend. Spending at bars and hotels rose 7.2 per cent, reflecting the role of social gatherings and meals for Father's Day celebrations.
ANZ Managing Director, Data and Analytics, Joanna Gurry said Father's Day continues to be an important occasion for Australian families and businesses alike.
"The data shows Father's Day is more than just a family celebration. It's a major spending event that delivers meaningful benefits for businesses across retail and hospitality. Whether Australians are taking dad out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, buying a thoughtful gift, or gathering with family and friends, we're seeing spending flow through to a broad range of sectors. Father's Day remains an important occasion on the retail calendar, providing businesses with an opportunity to connect with customers and be part of how families celebrate their dads."
Michael Smith, Owner of the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, says Father's Day is a popular and special time for the Theatre.
"Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the father figures in our lives while supporting local businesses. It's always a popular occasion at the Theatre, with families coming together to share an experience and create lasting memories.
"We're proud to offer some of the things dads value most: thoughtful gifts and memorable experiences. Whether it's enjoying a day at the movies, giving a voucher for a future visit, picking up a great read from The Sun Bookshop, or even a pair of our locally made Sun Theatre socks inspired by the theatre's iconic heritage carpet, there are plenty of ways to spoil dad. It's also a chance to support the local traders who help make our community vibrant year-round."
Key spending insights on Father's Day weekend 2025 compared to a normal weekend:
Books and newsagents recorded the largest spending uplift (+25.8%) and transactions uplift (+32.2%)
The music category saw a +17.6% uplift in transactions
Movie spending rose +15.5%, with little change to transactions volume suggesting customers could be splurging on more premium experiences like Gold Class
Food and beverage were key categories: alcohol spending increased +19.2%, cafe and restaurant spending increased +13.4%, bars and hotels increased +7.2%
Sporting goods spending increased +11.8%
Jewellery spending rose +10.5%
More customers visited parks and attractions, with transaction volumes up +14.2%
*Normal weekend refers to the average spend recorded across the two weekends either side of Father's Day 2025 (the weekend immediately before and the weekend immediately after).
