A new survey has predicted that Australians will spend around $7.1 billion (US$5.26 billion) this Easter, providing a much-needed revenue injection for retailers across the country.
Among 2,184 Australians surveyed, one in ten, said they would increase their food spending this year, while around two-thirds (66 percent) said they would spend the same as they did last year.
The survey expects New South Wales residents to spend the most on food at an average of $104 per person, followed by Victorians at $100 per person.
Meanwhile, Paul Zahra, the CEO of ARA, said that this Easter was the first true holiday for many people since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
“Even Christmas last year was disrupted by the surge in Omicron cases and testing requirements to cross borders, which forced many people to cancel their plans at the last minute,” he said.
However, as jurisdictions have opened their borders and relaxed pandemic restrictions, retailers in popular holiday destinations struggling with poor sales in prior years are anticipated to receive a substantial boost in revenue in the upcoming days.
Of the survey respondents going away at Easter, nearly two-thirds said they would travel within their own state, while a third would go interstate, and three percent would depart to another country.
At the same time, major city and regional airports across Australia were also asking travellers to arrive early to check in for flights, with officials at Sydney Airport reminding passengers to be present at the airport at least two hours before their flight time.
Meanwhile, Zahra said that besides food and travel spending, DIYs around the house would also be a popular option for those who are good with their hands.
“It’s the last break many people will have before winter sets in, and people who aren’t going away traditionally use this time to upgrade things around the home that they’ve been putting off for months due to their busy schedules,” he said.
