Bumper trade on Boxing Day across NSW

Shoppers are today taking advantage of sales across NSW on the first permanent day of Boxing Day trade in the State’s history.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said laws passed in September gave retailers, employees and consumers the freedom to trade, work and shop on December 26, should they choose to do so.

“Many businesses previously unable to trade have now opened their doors on Boxing Day and opened their local economies to the benefits that it brings,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The previous restrictions on Boxing Day were outdated and prevented businesses from trading in areas such as Newcastle, Western Sydney and Wollongong. Allowing all retailers across NSW to trade on December 26 boosts local businesses, supports jobs and gives shoppers the choice to buy local.”

The NSW Government in 2015 removed outdated retail trading restrictions that prevented shops in Western Sydney and many parts of regional NSW from trading on Boxing Day. In September, Parliament passed legislation to make these changes permanent, following a successful two-year trial and a comprehensive review conducted by Professor Percy Allan AM.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said today’s trade followed a successful seven-week education campaign to ensure retail workers and employers are aware of their ability to freely elect to work or open on one of the biggest trading days of the year.

“NSW now allows trade across the state on Boxing Day, in line with other states and territories,” Mr Perrottet said. “We know it’s a huge day for retailers and online shoppers, so giving businesses in other metropolitan and regional areas that opportunity is only fair.

“Employers operate under clear guidelines which ensure their staff are aware of their choice to work on Boxing Day and retail staff can now choose to earn a bit of extra cash over the holiday season if they want to.”

Retailers who force staff to work on Boxing Day face fines of up to $11,000 per employee and penalties of up to $22,000 are in place for landlords who force retail tenants to open.