Next big sales in Australia in 2023 plus tips to supersize your savings
08 Nov 2022
Sale events like Click Frenzy or Black Friday can be a great way to nab a bargain. Find out the dates to pop into your diary and follow our tips to supersize the savings.
Why pay full price when shopping? The annual calendar is jam-packed with sales that may help you save some serious coin. It can pay to plan ahead and be prepared for these events. Check out our 12-month guide to upcoming sales to help you do just that.
Your 2022-2023 sales calendar
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| Month | Sale | What we know so far |
|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | ||
| 8-10 | Click Frenzy – The Main Event Sale | Discounts on travel, tech, home, beauty and fashion with a selection of products discounted by as much as 99%. |
| 11 | Singles’ Day | It’s a massive retail event in China, and Singles Day sales are gaining traction here in Australia. |
| 25-28 | Black Friday to Cyber Monday | The two dates have pretty much merged into a four-day bargain-fest. Most big names come on board including JB Hi-Fi Myer, Big W, The Iconic and Target. |
| December 2022 | ||
| 14 | Free Shipping Day | Watch for retailers offering zero shipping costs in the countdown towards Christmas. |
| 26 | Boxing Day sales | The big one! Make a day of it as this is one sale when some of the best bargains can be found in-store rather than online. |
| January 2023 | ||
| Mid-late Jan | Back to School sales | Not just a chance to kit out the kids for less, Back to School sales often see discounts on office equipment and stationery – great if you’re working from home. |
| 22 | Chinese New Year sales | 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit and you may be able to hop into stores to nab a bargain to celebrate the Lunar New Year. |
| February 2023 | ||
| 14 | Valentine’s Day sales | Potentially score savings on perfume, chocolates and jewellery. |
| March 2023 | ||
| Month-long | ‘March Madness’ sales | Keep an eye out for March-themed sales. |
| TBC | Afterpay Day | A large number of brands participate in this bi-annual event and it can be a chance to pocket serious savings. You don’t have to pay using Afterpay. |
| April 2023 | ||
| 7-10 | Easter sales | You might be able to pick up a good deal over the Easter long weekend. Remember, Easter eggs will be heavily discounted on Easter Sunday – a chance to pick up some cheap-cheap chocolates. |
| May 2023 | ||
| 14 | Mother’s Day sales | Bag a bargain in the run-up to the second Sunday in May. |
| TBC | Click Frenzy – Mayhem sale | Mayhem is another annual sales event in the Click Frenzy calendar. |
| TBC | eBay Plus Weekend Sale |
This sale event is for eBay Plus members. |
| June 2023 | ||
| Month-long | End of financial year sales | The mid-year sales kick off in June, when retailers want to boost their results for the financial year. |
| July 2023 | ||
| Month-long | Winter sales | Yes, July is mid-winter but retailers will be keen to shift stock to make space for Spring products. |
| August 2023 | ||
| TBC | Afterpay Day | This will be the second Afterpay Day for 2023 and you don’t need to use the service to pay for your purchases. |
| September 2023 | ||
| 3 | Father’s Day sales | Grab bargains on gifts for the father figures in your life. |
10 ways to shop smart and save
Bagging a bargain isn’t just about stocking up at sale time. To really max the value it pays to plan ahead. Here are some tips to supersize your savings.
1. Draw up a list
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and overspend at sales. Remember the golden rule – it’s only a bargain if you really need the item. Stay on track by making a list of what you actually need. That way you can keep your budget in good shape while also ticking off your wishlist.
2. Stay in the know
Never miss a bargain. Some retailers provide a sneak peek of the savings. Sign up for retailers’ email alerts or follow their social media feed for advance details of upcoming sales so that you can plan a shopping strategy.
3. Compare, compare, compare
When is a discount a dud? When another retailer is offering a better deal. Put tech to work to scope out the sweetest savings. Head to sites such as Google Shopping and GetPrice. Or try the browser extension Honey, which tracks down and applies discount coupons.
4. Save extra with cashback rewards
Pocket extra savings by shopping at cashback sites such as Cashrewards and ShopBack. The sites earn a commission on your purchases from a linked retailer, and part of the money is returned to you as a cash reward. It costs nothing to join, and it can add to your savings.
5. Watch for shipping costs
Nothing takes the buzz out of a bargain faster than freight charges. But there are ways to save on shipping costs. Google ‘free shipping codes’ to find coupons that can be applied to your purchases. Or go for one large order that sees you score free shipping.
6. Put reward points to work
A bargain is even sweeter when you don’t have to pay for it. Pay for purchases with reward points built up through loyalty schemes such as Everyday Rewards or Flybuys, and get more for less at sale time.
7. Watch for foreign currency fees
If you’re shopping online at overseas sites, watch for international transaction fees. Consumer watchdog, the ACCC, says these fees usually work out to 3% of the purchase price. If you regularly make overseas purchases, consider switching to a credit or debit card that comes with zero (or minimal) foreign currency fees.
8. Know when to stop
Research shows that we tend to spend more when we use non-cash payment methods – such as credit cards or buy now, pay later. So set spending limits. There’s no joy in pocketing huge savings if you’re left struggling to pay off purchases.
9. Invest while you shop
Spending at sales will leave a hole in your bank balance but you may be able to stem some of the outflow by growing savings, investments or super while you shop. Look for savings accounts that round up your small change as you spend. Grow investments with your small change on purchases through micro-investing apps or build your super as you shop through cashback rewards platforms.
10. Watch for scams
Scammers love sale time as much as shoppers. Scammers have been known to create realistic-looking fake online stores selling items at heavily discounted prices. The ACCC suggests you research the seller and make sure you know who you are buying from. Search online for the product or company name, plus “complaint” or “scam” to see what other people are saying.
Cover image source: vovidzha/Shutterstock.com
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This article was reviewed by our Editorial Campaigns Manager Maria Bekiaris before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
