The best Boxing Day sales 2024: Deals still underway!
Last Updated on December 29, 2024
Check out the incredible end-of-year sales and treat yourself to a bargain.
If you’re wanting to save money on fashion, technology, homewares, computers or something else, the Boxing Day sales is one of the best times to grab a bargain! While some stores have finished their sales for 2024, there are still bargains to be found.
To get the most out of shopping during one of the busiest retail events of the year, use our guide for shopping tips and the best Boxing day deals in New Zealand.
Editor’s Picks
Here are the hottest Boxing Day deals for 2024:
| Store | Deal | Valid Until |
|---|---|---|
| Dell NZ | Up to 45% off laptops & monitors | January 5, 2025 |
| THE ICONIC | Up to 60% off fashion & accessories | While stocks last |
| Sephora NZ | 20-50% off beauty & skincare | December 31, 2024 |
| Emma Sleep | 55% off mattresses | January 2, 2025 |
| Amazon AU/NZ | Up to 70% off store-wide | December 29, 2024 |
| PrettyLittleThing | Up to 80% off everything | While stocks last |
| Glassons | 30-70% off summer styles | While stocks last |
| Rebel Sport | Up to 50% off sports gear | January 3, 2025 |
| JB Hi-Fi | Major discounts on electronics | December 31, 2024 |
| Kathmandu | Up to 60% off outdoor gear | January 7, 2025 |
Commonly discounted items on Boxing Day
Since the Boxing Day sales are a way for retailers to clear out stock before the new year and new season, there are certain items that you can usually count on being discounted including:
Electronics and tech
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday normally see the bigger deals on tech, we still see great savings on items like TVs, laptops, audio equipment and gaming during the end of year sales.
- Where to shop: TheMarket, Amazon Australia, Lenovo and Dell
Summer clothing
Stores bring in new season clothing well before the weather turns, so you can expect that summer items such as shorts, tanks, skirts and dresses will have a reasonable discount during NZ Boxing Day sales. This is perfect timing for us, so we can get everything we need ready for our beach holidays in January and February.
- Where to shop: Glassons, Surfstitch, THE ICONIC and PrettyLittleThing
Sneakers and trainers
2022 will see new styles being released from global footwear brands, so take advantage of discounts on Boxing Day and restock your shoe collection.
- Where to shop: Platypus, Puma, Hype DC, New Balance and Skechers
Outdoor gear
Similarly, outdoor gear such as camping equipment, games and water toys are often on sale on Boxing Day so stores can make way for winter gear.
- Where to shop: Mountain Warehouse, Wiggle, Surfstitch and TheMarket
Beauty gift sets
Many beauty brands release limited edition gift sets for Christmas, and if these don’t sell out, they are usually discounted on Boxing Day. Gift sets can include hair product bundles such as a shampoo, conditioner and treatment, makeup collections, or skin care products.
- Where to shop: Sephora, StrawberryNet, Look Fantastic and Catch
Christmas decorations and gift wrapping
Christmas is done and dusted and stores don’t have the space to hold on to Christmas decorations for another year, so it’s very common to see decorations, cards and wrapping paper heavily discounted. Purchasing these items on Boxing Day will mean spending less next festive season.
- Where to shop: TheMarket, Cotton On and Paper Plus
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is on 26 December each year, the day after Christmas Day.
Boxing Day is basically an extra day off to spend with your family and friends. It’s a chance to visit another side of the family you didn’t get time to see on Christmas Day and put your appetite to the test by demolishing all those leftovers.
We also spend the day in other ways including going to the races, watching a cricket test match, and of course – bargain hunting at the Boxing Day sales.
What are Boxing Day sales?
Major stores drop their prices in the Boxing Day sales to clear stock before the new year. We like to think of it as the day you give a gift to yourself! Alongside Black Friday, it is one of the most popular shopping days of the year – but sales can start as early as Christmas Eve and extend through until after New Year.
We often see discounts ranging anywhere from 25% to 80% off during a Boxing Day sale, which is why shoppers find it worth waiting for. You can pick up summer clothing, footwear and outdoor gear for less than you would have paid before Christmas, which is ideal since many of us have our holidays in January and February.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
There are competing speculations about where Boxing Day got its name. The prevailing theory is that Boxing Day quite literally refers to “Christmas boxes”, another word for presents. The idea is that domestic workers and servants who worked on Christmas Day had the next day off to celebrate, and would give and receive boxed gifts for the occasion.
Are shops open on Boxing Day?
Even though it’s a public holiday, most stores keep their doors open and their prices down on Boxing Day. But if you’ve gone away to the beach or to visit family in a town where retail stores are limited, your best bet for taking advantage of sales on 26 December will be to shop online.
Many retailers start their Boxing Day sales online as early as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to get ahead of the competition. This means that you can start shopping in between present giving and family meals to get first dibs on the awesome deals available.
Which stores have Boxing Day sales online?
There are numerous stores that hold Boxing Day sales online annually. Just some of the sites that we expect to hold sales this year include:
- The Market
- Paper Plus
- Cotton On
- Princess Polly
- Sephora
- General Pants
- Lorna Jane
- Glassons
- Surfstitch
- Adairs
- Platypus
- THE ICONIC
- Ezibuy
- Connor
- ASOS
- Sunglass Hut
- Merchant 1948
- StrawberryNet
- Hallenstein Brothers
- Skechers
- Beginning Boutique
When do Boxing Day sales end?
It really varies from store to store. Some shops will keep on reducing the price of their old stock until it’s all gone, while others will keep the sales to a strict deadline. In many cases, Boxing Day sales are available from 26 December until the end of December. There’ll also be sales that extend to the first week of January.
But this doesn’t mean you should take your time sorting out what you want to buy. Once an item is sold out, you’re likely to have missed out for good.
Boxing Day sales NZ – are they worth it?
Despite the massive savings you get on Boxing Day, there is still one negative side – the crowds. Boxing Day sales are associated with chaos and no carparks at the mall, so choosing to shop online rather than in-store is less stressful and time-consuming.
The majority of retailers offer their Boxing Day sales online with the same items at the same prices, and you’ll find there is more choice in sizing and colours. Simply check back to this page for the latest deals and place an order without even needing to get out of bed.
In previous years we’ve seen discounts of up to 80% off all kinds of items on Boxing Day including electronics, clothing and beauty products. While nothing is guaranteed, we’re expecting large discounts again in 2023.
Your favourite retailers might even offer free shipping which is an even better incentive to let your fingers do the walking on this popular sale day.
Tips on getting the best bargains this Boxing Day
Getting the most out of the Boxing Day sales is no easy task, so here are a few quick tips to help you shop smart this year.
- Set a budget. It’s super easy to overspend at a sale. When you see sale signs advertising huge discounts you tend to buy more than you need because you think you are saving money. What you don’t realise is the savings often don’t equate to the amount you’re spending. Set a budget for the day and stick to it so you don’t wake up the next day with an all-too-familiar “sales hangover”.
- Do your research. Another common mistake at Boxing Day sales is going shopping with little preparation. Boxing Day sales only come once a year and shouldn’t be treated like a normal shopping day. Have a look and see which stores are having sales and which products they will be discounting. Many stores advertise huge Boxing Day savings in advance, but only have specific products included.
- Know when the sales start and finish. Online and physical store sales will have different start and end times. If you want to do your shopping in person, check when the shops open to make sure you get there in plenty of time. Online stores often start their sales the night of Christmas Day, so check times to make sure you get the best deals first. Most people aren’t aware that some online stores even start their sales before Christmas, so you might be able to grab a bargain when you’ve got some downtime on Christmas Day.
- Focus on the right products. Whether you are shopping online or battling the Boxing Day crowds, sales can be overwhelming. Don’t let yourself be inundated by deals when the sale starts— know what you want to buy and go straight for those products. Focus on those items that you missed out on at Christmas, for example, if you got a lot of clothes and beauty products then maybe you should look for computer gear, jewellery or furniture.
Related: Compare Mobile Plans NZ
Online Shopping Tips
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Sign up for newsletters | Get early access and exclusive deals |
| Create accounts beforehand | Faster checkout process |
| Use price comparison tools | Ensure you’re getting the best deal |
| Check shipping costs | Factor in delivery fees to total cost |
