Australian companies hooked on US-bred promotions .

 

Australian retailers have embraced the Black Friday sales event to the extent that it has surpassed Boxing Day as the largest single boost to the Australian retail sector.

 

While the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales promotions originated in the US, Australian retailers and a wider group of consumer product and service companies have demonstrated a strong willingness to ‘get on-board’.

 

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and research firm Roy Morgan predicted a record $5.4 billion would be spent in stores and online over the four days of Black Friday to Cyber Monday - an increase of around eight per cent on the previous corresponding period.

 

A survey by consumer group Choice found that almost all Australians (92 per cent) have heard of the Black Friday sales, with just over half (52 per cent) expressing an interest in buying something during this year's event. A Finder.com survey found that 35 per cent of consumers would buy something online during the promotion period.