A record number of presents under the Christmas tree are likely to have been purchased online this year, as Australia Post scrambles to deliver more than 1 million parcels in Queensland this week.
The National Retail Association (NRA) is forecasting a 51 per cent increase in online sales across Australia this Christmas, worth a total of $8.2 billion.
But NRA chief executive officer Dominique Lamb said the overall spend is likely to be even higher.
"Australians are set to spend $60.8 billion between November 15 and Christmas Day," she said.
"In the last three days towards Christmas, we know Queenslanders will spend $1.6 billion, which is about a 5 per cent increase on last year's figures.
An Australia Post spokeswoman said their Queensland staff have delivered more than 1.45 million parcels so far this week, including 500,000 packages on Monday alone.
Shoppers mask up
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, people over the age of 12 must wear masks at all times in shopping centres, supermarkets, and shops.
Amie Kinnane said she was a little nervous about venturing to Brisbane's Chermside shopping centre with her children amid rising case numbers.
"But Christmas photos with Santa is kind of a priority in our family," Ms Kinnane said.
"It is a tradition, so we're here and we're just doing everything we can to get away from other people really.
But Fiona Stager, the co-owner of Avid Reader bookshop in inner-city West End, said online sales were no match for the experience of choosing a gift in store.
"Now that we're lucky that we can be out in a safe COVID environment, people are wanting to come, because there's nothing quite like looking through a book in a book shop," Ms Stager said.
"They're also wanting to shop local."
Buy from the Bush goes back online
A pop-up shop stocked with products made in rural Queensland is trying to empty its shelves before closing on December 30.
Buy from the Bush founder Kerri Brennan said the campaign began on social media in 2018 to provide an extra source of income for drought-stricken farmers and now represented more than 50 small businesses.
"Anything from hide products to jewellery, linen, clothing, candles, soaps, jerky, jams and chutneys … toys for the kids," Ms Brennan said.
"The money goes into the hands of a Queensland rural family."
After a year of trade in the inner Brisbane suburb of New Farm, Buy from the Bush is about to close its doors and open a new online store.
"COVID has made the year tough for our little shop," Ms Brennan said.
