Drones and Activewear Among Most Popular Products in 2018

This year, shoppers have been scouring the country in search of eco and reusable products, with Vend saying purchases of these products have increased by over 1,000 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Computers and accessories have also seen a 300 percent increase in popularity YOY, while vintage and vinyl records, and activewear have seen uplifts of more than 200 percent.

Contrary to popular belief, the book industry is still alive and kicking, with books seeing a 78 percent boost in sales this festive season, while the concept of drones continues to fascinate Aussies everywhere, as shoppers rush out to wrap one up for their loved ones this Christmas, attributing to a 74 percent jump in the sales of drones and virtual reality apps.

However, according to Vend, the most popular Christmas gifts this year do vary state-by-state, with Sydney shoppers opting for t-shirts, footwear, drones and VR, while Melbourne-based consumers are all for dresses, vintage vinyl’s and records, homewares, and Christmas-related products. Meanwhile, shoppers in Perth have been looking for toys and books, Brisbane resident’s eco and reusable products and Adelaide, crystals…

According to the founder of Biome Eco, Tracey Bailey, her business has seen reusable products top her store’s bestseller’s list both in-store and online this Christmas, with stainless steel straws and reusable bamboo straws selling like hotcakes. “There is increased awareness of the effect plastic straws are having on our oceans due to the ‘War On Waste’ show and the global movement highlighting that unless we change our consumption habits there will be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050,” she says.

This comes as purchases of products like beeswax food wraps have increased by 600 percent and bamboo straws by a reported 420 percent.

However, Vend’s data has also revealed that old-favourites like socks and chocolates are still popular among shoppers.

“Our data shows that a lot of our traditional go-to gifts, like socks for Dad, chocolates for Gran, and a handbag for Mum, are still very much a popular choice. For example, sock purchases have increased by 51 percent year-on year, chocolates are up 65 percent, and bags are up 147 percent,” says Dave Scheine, Vend country manager for APAC.

These strong sales are expected to continue into the New Year, with the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan announcing Thursday morning that post-Christmas sales are expected to see retailers rake in $18.3 billion between December 26, 2018 and January 15, 2019.

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