Bankwest’s latest Spend Trends figures show Western Australians closed out 2025 with a strong retail finish, as shoppers funnelled spending into Black Friday and pre‑Christmas sales rather than the traditional Boxing Day rush.
With Perth prices up faster than pay and the cash rate still well above pre‑pandemic levels, many WA households are under strain, helping explain the rush to lock in bargains during major sales weeks.
Nationally, ABS data shows household spending hit a record $79.35 billion in November, up 1% month-on-month and 6.3% over the year, with broad-based growth underscoring resilient discretionary outlays on areas such as recreation and dining out.
Black Friday has overtaken Boxing Day as WA’s biggest spending week, with total outlay during Black Friday week 28% higher than Boxing Day week, led by electric appliance retailers, airlines, and discount stores.
Total spend across the Black Friday week (28 November–4 December) was 6% higher in 2025 than the same period in 2024, underscoring how November sales have become central to the state’s retail calendar.
“December’s data shows Western Australians are continuing to make the most of major sales events, and revealed the Black Friday week of shopping outpaced Boxing Day week in terms of total spend," said Allan Emery, Bankwest head of everyday products, in a media release.
“This year’s Black Friday sales potentially became a launchpad for Christmas shopping, with many Western Australians likely taking advantage of the deals to purchase gifts.”
Compared with November, December saw customers transacting rise 9.7% and total spend jump 22.7%, with sporting toy stores and department stores posting the biggest customer gains. Month-on-month, spending grew fastest at discount stores (+64.7%), sporting toy stores (+55.3%), and department stores (+45.8%).
Average spend per transaction climbed 11.8% month‑on‑month. Overall December spend was 7.6% higher than a year earlier, fuelled largely by a 7.7% increase in average transaction value, while shopper numbers were almost flat at –0.1%. The data points to fewer trips but larger baskets.
Emery said family‑oriented categories were clear beneficiaries.
“The surge in shoppers and spending at sporting and toy stores in December suggests West Aussie families were also stocking up on presents from these stores for the festive season," he said.
“While overall customer numbers remain steady, we’re continuing to see a clear trend towards higher-value transactions including shoppers spending more on filling their grocery trolly in December”.
All generations spent more on average per transaction than in December 2024, even as unique customer numbers declined across the board.
Generational snapshot (December 2024 vs December 2025):
Gen Z led total spend growth despite attracting fewer individual shoppers, highlighting their role in driving higher‑value purchases during peak sales events.
The combination of cost‑of‑living pressure and concentrated discount activity is reshaping how Western Australians shop. Rather than increasing the number of trips, customers are consolidating spending into higher‑value transactions, with Black Friday now setting the pace for WA’s festive retail season.
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