The NSW Government has introduced legislation that will allow all retailers throughout NSW to trade on Boxing Day in 2015.
The 2015 calendar year is unique in that Boxing Day falls on a Saturday. As a result an additional public holiday is granted on Monday 28th December 2015. Both Saturday and the Monday are classified as public holidays and are subject to penalty rates of 250% for workers that have to work on these days.
Historically NSW retailers have only been allowed to trade on Boxing Day if they were in the Sydney CBD or tourist areas. This differs from other states where Boxing Day is one of the biggest days of retail trade of the year. Whilst there is the additional expense of paying employees penalty rates, many retailers will be keen to open their doors to take advantage of the frenetic buying that occurs during Boxing Day sales.
In the past regional and Western Sydney retailers have missed out on being able to cash in on Boxing Day sales as residents head to the eastern suburbs and Sydney CBD areas to get their Boxing Day sales fix. The changes mean more local dollars will stay in the local areas.
The Australian Retailers Association is currently reviewing the retail industry award as the push continues to lower penalty rates on Sundays and public holidays.