A one-day shopping extravaganza will transform Melbourne’s CBD tomorrow, with bargain hunters flooding the city’s biggest stores for Shop the City, this year aligning with the Black Friday sales.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said shoppers can grab a bargain while enjoying live music, pop-up activations and fantastic food and drink giveaways from 10am to 10pm.
“Hundreds of stores across six city blocks will be filled with massive discounts, fun activities and food, making the city the place to shop this Friday,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Black Friday is the second biggest shopping day on the calendar after Boxing Day, and we’re expecting the city to be full of people keen to get a start on their Christmas shopping lists while enjoying the atmosphere.”
Shop the City was launched today in Postal Lane with major retailers Melbourne Central, Emporium Melbourne, Melbourne’s GPO, the Strand, QV Melbourne, Myer, David Jones, St. Collins Lane and the Collins Street Precinct.
Along with discounts, shoppers can enjoy roving performers, Gelato Messina give-aways, free donuts and green tea, complimentary nail art, premium gift wrapping, live DJs and a giant confetti dome that’s perfect for snapping selfies.
Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley said Shop the City is the City of Melbourne’s premier retail activation program.
“More than 20,000 people work in the retail industry within the City of Melbourne, with the sector contributing $5.7 billion to Melbourne’s economy in 2016 alone,” Cr Riley said.
“Timed perfectly with the start of the festive season, the shopping festival is a great opportunity to snap up some early Christmas gifts for family and friends. Savvy shoppers can also enjoy food and wine, roving performers, entertainment and giveaways – definitely a shop until you drop evening.”
Deloitte recently released its Retailers’ Christmas Survey 2018, which found that 80 per cent of retailers expect to see higher sales this Christmas compared to last year, with 41 per cent predicting growth of 5 per cent or more.
The Strand and Melbourne’s GPO Marketing Manager Danielle Sita said Shop the City 2018 offers great discounts and offers.
“We want customers to be able to access the amazing offers that the event brings, with the ability to try on, touch and feel what they’re buying – all while being rewarded,” Ms Sita said.
“There’s always an amazing atmosphere during the Shop the City events and we’re so excited to be taking part in the shopping celebration, once again.”
