Saturday morning read for Australian shoppers. Brisbane and Fremantle play the AFL Grand Final at 2.30pm AEST, and JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman both have TV sales running into next week. The bigger story for your budget is Tuesday: all four major banks now expect the Reserve Bank to lift rates. Myer’s Mid Season closeout ends Monday night, school holidays are starting across most of the country, and ALDI has posted its Wednesday range.
All Four Big Banks Now Tip a Rate Rise on Tuesday
Michael Janda at ABC News reports that all four major banks, and most money market traders, expect the Reserve Bank to raise rates at its meeting ending Tuesday 29 September. Only a month ago the banks were split. Reuters reported in late August that only NAB was forecasting a September move.
Cameron Micallef at news.com.au reports that NAB chief economist Sally Auld is forecasting a September rise and sees a risk of another in November. The decision is due at 2.30pm AEST on Tuesday, and the ABS Monthly CPI follows at 11.30am AEST on Wednesday.
If you have a mortgage, plan for higher repayments from October and treat this weekend’s sales as a chance to buy essentials, not a reason to stretch.
Grand Final Day: TV Sales Run Past the Final Siren
Brisbane and Fremantle play the AFL Grand Final today, with the first bounce at 2.30pm AEST, according to the AFL. If you are upgrading the lounge room TV, there is no need to rush this morning. JB Hi-Fi’s catalogue page lists its Footy Finals Frenzy running to 7 October, and Harvey Norman’s TV Sale has selected deals ending 30 September.
The NRL decider is a week away, on Sunday 4 October at Accor Stadium in Sydney, according to NRL.com. That leaves two footy weekends to compare prices before you buy a big screen.
Sales Ending Soon as School Holidays Start
Myer’s Mid Season Sale 6-Day Closeout offers end at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 28 September. At David Jones, the bonus $10 David Jones Reward on eligible $250 PayPal purchases finishes tomorrow, Sunday 27 September.
For toys, the Myer Toy Sale runs to 4 October, and the Target at Kmart Big Brand Toy Sale runs to 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 11 October. Tourism Australia’s school holiday calendar shows Victoria, Queensland and the NT already on break. The ACT, South Australia and Western Australia start today, NSW starts Monday and Tasmania starts next Saturday.
Check the Was Price: ACCC Fines digiDirect $99,000
According to the ACCC, camera retailer digiDirect paid $99,000 after receiving five infringement notices over allegedly misleading strikethrough discount claims. It is a timely reminder while sale banners are everywhere: a crossed out price only means something if the item actually sold at that price. Check a product’s price history before you treat a big percentage as a real saving.
There is also some good local retail news. Thanh Nha at Inside Retail reports that Rebel has opened its largest Tasmanian store, a 3,000 square metre site in the Hobart CBD, creating more than 40 local jobs.
Top 5 Deals of the Day
Six categories, six winners. The deepest headline discounts surfaced from a Saturday morning sweep of every retailer live on It’s On Sale.
SportsgirlToday’s Top DiscountWomenswear90%OFF2
Rebel SportSports85%OFF3
Kick PushSurf & Skate83%OFF4
HouseHomewares78%OFF5
Colette by Colette HaymanBags & Accessories74%OFF% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.
Other Deals Worth a Look
- Baku Swimwear: up to 70% off in the sale section, a good way to get summer swimwear early.
- ALDI Wednesday 30 September: 69 items, including Nutella 900g for $11.99, Moccona Classic 400g for $25.99, Tasmanian salmon fillets four pack for $18.99 and Huggies fragrance free wipes 400 pack for $13.49.
- BIG W School’s Out: 20% off toys in the current catalogue. BIG W has not published an end date, so check before you go.
- The Good Guys: several bonus offers end Wednesday 30 September.
What to Watch This Week
The David Jones PayPal bonus ends tomorrow, Sunday 27 September. The Myer Mid Season closeout finishes at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 28 September, which is also the first day of the NSW school holidays. On Tuesday 29 September, the Reserve Bank decision lands at 2.30pm AEST. On Wednesday 30 September, the ABS Monthly CPI comes out at 11.30am AEST, ALDI’s new range goes on sale, and the Harvey Norman TV deals end. Sunday 4 October brings the NRL Grand Final and the start of daylight saving, and Monday 5 October is a public holiday in NSW, the ACT, South Australia and Queensland.