Boxing Day sales: Thousands flock to Peel St, Tamworth to grab a bargain

Only a handful of shops threw open their doors in the CBD with thousands wandering up and down Peel St in search of discounted goods.

Beth, Bath and Table store manager Andrew Coutman told The Leader it was one of the best Boxing Day’s the store had recorded in several years.

“It’s been really, really good, we’ve found that it’s better than previous years,” he said.

“Sales have increased compared to last year.

“I think it’s becoming more and more accepted to open on Boxing Day and we’re finding people are definitely getting out and amongst it.”

He said there had been sales up to 80 per cent on items but shoppers were on a mission when they got to the store.

“When they're coming into the store they know exactly what they want,” Mr Coutman said.

“Outdoor items, plastic cups and kitchenware, picnic baskets, rugs and all that kind of stuff has been unbelievable in sales.”

In the CBD, Target, Cotton On and JB Hi-fi were open, so too Mathers and Sportscraft, along with Prouds and EB Games.

Employees told The Leader sales had been up on previous years, with more and more embracing shopping on Boxing Day in the city.

Many shops are expected to take advantage of the two-day straight public holidays and open on Wednesday.

“The crowds are up, just in the centre of town, there is not many stores that are open but the ones that are are really benefiting,” Mr Coutman said.

And they’re not alone. Australians are expected to spend over $7.5 billion in the week after Christmas. 

According to the Retail Council’s Christmas Spending Index, shoppers are predicted to fork out around $2.45 billion in NSW between now and New Years Eve.