Australians Urged to ‘Spend Big’ at Small Businesses During Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Shoppers move through the QVB shopping area in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 8, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australian shoppers are being kindly urged to “spend big” at small businesses this weekend as Black Friday kicks off.

Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, said Australians had the opportunity to support small businesses after a challenging period.

“When you spend at a local small or family business, it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” Billson said. “We know more than 40 cents in the dollar spent on small businesses flows back to the local community—that includes everything from wages to local residents, to sponsorships for local schools and sporting teams.

Given the increase in the volume of online sales in the lead-up to Christmas, which is 28 days away, Billson said it was one of the final opportunities to shop for Christmas given the predicted delivery delays.

“If you are shopping online for gifts, as a growing number of people are doing—now is the time to start,” he said.

Australian retailers can look forward to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales frenzy, where shoppers are expected to spend $5.4 billion.

Rise of Black Friday in Australia

Black Friday originated in the United States and refers to the first Friday after Thanksgiving. It also unofficially signifies the start of the Christmas shopping period.

A previous survey by research firm McCrindle found that 27 percent of Australians in 2017 had never heard of Black Friday sales. This has fallen to 2 percent in 2021.

“The speed at which Black Friday and Cyber Monday have gained traction in Australia has been remarkable. This momentum and its position before Christmas is now rivalling Boxing Day which has traditionally been Australia’s super-sale day,” McCrindle researcher Mark McCrindle said.

This year, Black Friday sales come as restrictions around the country continue to ease, leaving many Australians eager for an in-person post-lockdown shopping experience.

Meanwhile, Cyber Monday is mainly gaining traction with younger Australians who are more familiar with American cultural trends.

“These younger consumers are also savvy online shoppers and similarly much more likely to participate in Cyber Monday sales,” McCrindle said.

As younger Australians become mainstream consumers, McCrindle believes that these Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales days will likely become Australia’s biggest retail days.