Australian retailers have extended trading hours ahead of Christmas Day to accommodate final-minute shoppers. Wednesday, 24 December marks the last opportunity for consumers to purchase gifts before the trading shutdown.
Supermarkets Remain Open Christmas Eve
All major supermarket chains plan to operate throughout Christmas Eve. Coles stores will remain open across the country with varying closing times by location. Woolworths will also trade normally on 24 December, providing last-minute grocery essentials for family gatherings.
Shoppers must complete supermarket visits before Christmas Day arrives. Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi will all close completely on Thursday, 25 December. The Australian Retailers Association reported consumers plan to spend an average of $757 per person. Total gift spending across Australia is forecast to reach $12 billion this year.
Christmas trading hours for major retailers during Christmas
Shopping Centres Reduce Hours Substantially
Westfield shopping centres nationwide plan to shut doors early on Christmas Eve. Most centres will close between 5pm and 6pm on 24 December. Sydney shopping destinations including Westfield Chatswood will operate until 6pm, whilst Westfield Bondi Junction closes at 6pm.
The Glen shopping centre in Melbourne will close at 5:30pm on Christmas Eve. MacArthur Square will shut doors at 5:30pm the same day. Shoppers planning to visit department stores must complete purchases before these early closings.
All Westfield centres will remain completely closed on Christmas Day. Retailers encourage customers to plan visits strategically around reduced trading hours.
The Glen shopping centre in Melbourne
Department Stores Adjust Christmas Eve Trading
Target locations across Australia will operate with restricted hours on 24 December. Most Target stores will close at 5pm or 5:30pm, requiring customers to shop earlier in the day.
Kmart stores plan extended trading across select locations. Several Victoria stores will trade 24 hours until 10pm on Christmas Eve. Kmart Belmont, Burwood, Narre Warren, and Campbellfield locations offer round-the-clock access. New South Wales customers can access Newtown and Launceston Kmart locations during extended hours.
David Jones department stores will close at 6pm on Christmas Eve at most locations. Chatswood Chase David Jones will operate from 7:30am until 6pm. Big W stores will trade normally on 24 December before closing entirely on 25 December.
Several Kmart stores in Victoria will trade until 10pm on Christmas Eve
Hardware and Home Improvement Retailers Stay Open
Bunnings Warehouse locations will remain open throughout Christmas Eve with hours varying by individual store. Customers should verify local branch closing times online before visiting. Trade Centres and Frame and Truss facilities will close entirely from 25 December until 5 January.
Pharmacy and Convenience Options Limited
Chemist Warehouse locations maintain reduced hours on Christmas Eve. Many pharmacies will close early or operate under modified trading schedules. Customers requiring medications should complete purchases during standard business hours where possible.
Convenience stores including 7-Eleven will remain open on Christmas Eve. Some IGA Local Grocer locations will also trade throughout the day, providing access to essential items for last-minute gift needs.
Consumer Spending Reflects Planning Changes
Australian consumer behaviour shows significant shifts during the festive season. Data from the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan indicates 29 per cent of shoppers are purchasing gifts earlier than in 2024. Only 8 per cent plan to shop later than previous years.
Pre-Christmas retail spending across the six weeks from 13 November until 24 December is forecast to reach $72.4 billion. This represents a 4 per cent increase on 2024 spending levels. Younger Australians aged 18 to 34 plan to spend $3.5 billion on gifts this year.
Omnichannel shopping dominates consumer preferences during the Christmas period. Research shows 89 per cent of shoppers plan to purchase both in physical stores and online. Physical store-only shopping has collapsed from 43 per cent in 2016 to just 6 per cent in 2025.
Consumer spending on Christmas
Boxing Day Alternatives Emerging
Consumers unable to complete Christmas Eve shopping face extremely limited options. All major supermarkets close completely on Christmas Day. Shopping centres across Australia remain shut on 25 December.
Boxing Day, 26 December, offers the next major shopping opportunity. Most retailers will reopen with extended trading hours on Friday. However, Boxing Day shopping typically features limited stock in sought-after gift categories.
Also Read: Bunnings’ Christmas Poinsettia Phenomenon: 21 Truckloads Reveal Hidden Retail Demand
Online Delivery Deadlines Already Passed
Australia Post has enforced strict Christmas delivery cutoffs. The metro delivery cutoff passed on 23 December for standard postage services. Regional New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia faced earlier cutoffs on 22 December.
Express Post services expired on 10 December for most Australian locations. Customers requiring delivery before Christmas Day should have ordered considerably earlier.
Planning Remains Critical
Retailers encourage shoppers to confirm local trading hours before visiting. Store locators on major retailer websites provide precise closing times by location. Telephone contact with specific branches can clarify any remaining uncertainty.
Consumers should prioritise grocery shopping above discretionary purchases on Christmas Eve. Essential food items will disappear from shelves as closing time approaches. Department stores and specialty retailers will experience peak congestion during morning and early afternoon hours.
The window for last-minute Christmas shopping closes definitively at 6pm on Wednesday, 24 December across most Australian retail destinations.
