The Best Things to Buy During This Year's EOFY Sales

Of course, we’re talking about the end-of-financial year sales, when Aussies head online or to their favourite stores in droves to try and snag a bargain.

But what exactly are the EOFY sales, and what are the top things to buy in 2024?

Read Jacaranda Finance’s guide to the top things to buy this EOFY.

On this page:

• What are the EOFY sales?
• How much do Aussies spend on EOFY bargains?
• The best things to buy this EOFY
• Tips to get the best deal this EOFY

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The EOFY sales can be a great time to buy things like computers, couches, fridges, or even a new car! But even with the discounts, these items can still be costly.

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What are the EOFY sales?

EOFY sales, short for End of Financial Year sales, are promotional events in Australia that occur on June 30th, the end of the financial year. Businesses usually offer handsome discounts and perks around this time to clear out any remaining stock and meet their sales targets before the new financial year begins.

EOFY sales can start as early as May and run until the end of June. Depending on the store, they may even continue into July. These sales can provide the perfect opportunity for savvy shoppers to find a bargain on whatever they’re looking for: there’s no actual limit to what you can buy and save during this period.

2022 research from Shopper found that as many as 9/10 consumers will participate in the EOFY sales either directly or indirectly, while according to eBay Australia, 45% of Australians surveyed eagerly await sales moments to buy non-essential items.

How much do Aussies spend on EOFY bargains?

Australians spend quite a lot on EOFY sales, which shows no signs of changing in 2024 despite cost-of-living pressures and high interest rates.  Research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan found that Aussie shoppers spent around $9.3 billion in total in the 2023 EOFY period, a $200 million increase from 2022.

Those who planned to shop in the mid-year/EOFY sales will each spend an average of $1,616, up almost $200 per person from the previous year.

“The mid-year sales are a fantastic opportunity for bargain hunters to grab a great deal as retailers slash prices on a range of clothes, shoes, accessories, homewares and electricals to make way for new season’s merchandise,” ARA CEO Paul Zahra said.

“Shopping online has proven to be particularly popular at this time of the year as shoppers look for convenience and to shop from the comfort of their own home, particularly during the colder winter months.

“There is no better time to buy than during the mid-year sales and EOFY promotions. We expect many shoppers are looking to grab a good deal to save money.”

The most popular purchases during the EOFY sales

Shopper’s research also found that ‘big ticket’ items were the most popular purchase among 73% of EOFY customers. This is supported by CHOICE, which found that the six most commonly bought items during the EOFY sales are usually the following:

Some of these items will feature in our list below.

The best things to buy this EOFY

If you’re considering treating yourself this EOFY or the next one but aren’t sure where to start, here are some of the top things Australians generally look to buy during this sales period.

Skip to each one:

Electronics and tech

Technology is one of the top targets for budget-friendly shoppers during the EOFY sales. Major and minor brands alike tend to have massive discounts on all sorts of electronics, such as:

• Laptops and desktop computers
• TVs and monitors
• Smartphones, iPads & tablets, etc.
• Gaming consoles
• Headphones
• Smartwatches
• Smart home appliances (Google Home, Amazon Echo, etc.)
• Robot vacuums
• And much more. 

As mentioned above, stick vacuums like the Dyson are among the most popular pieces of tech around this time, with some retailers offering discounts of 50% or more during the 2023 sales.

Home & kitchen appliances

If you need smaller home appliances, the EOFY sales are one of the best times to buy all year. The air fryer revolution usually peaks during this time, as they were the fourth most commonly bought item by Australians during EOFY 2023. 

If you do your research, you can find deals worth hundreds of dollars off some of the best air fryers around.

White goods

Dishwashers, washing machines and fridges occupy three of the top six spots identified by CHOICE. Given their initial prices and the discounts offered during EOFY sales, it’s not hard to see why. For example, online appliances were offering massive discounts of up to 50 - 60% for all manner of products in 2023, including air conditioners, BBQs, ovens, and more!

You can expect similar discounts this year.

Furniture and home decor

Given that the average mattress can easily cost over $1,000 when newly bought, it’s no surprise that they’re also regularly at the top of Aussies’ wish lists each EOFY. Some premium brands were offering more than 60% off queen—and king-sized mattresses for EOFY 2023.

Many furniture stores and home decor retailers also offer significant discounts during the EOFY period if you want to enhance your bedroom or living space with new couches, dining sets, tables, etc.

Clothing, beauty & hygiene products

Need a wardrobe update? According to Afterpay’s EOFY consumer insights survey, 83% of its customers plan to buy clothing and footwear during the EOFY sales. 

Clothing retailers often provide discounts on fashion and apparel during the EOFY sales. You can find deals on clothing, shoes, accessories, and even designer brands. The same applies to all manner of beauty and hygiene products, such as makeup, hair styling products and more.

There are too many examples to list here, so head online to some of your favourite brands to see what discounts they offer.

Cars

As we’ve explained previously in this article, car sales tend to offer some of the best discounts around when it comes to the new financial year. The main reason is that car dealerships and manufacturers want to sell as many cars as possible to maximise sales and profits so their final EOFY results look better.

Car dealerships will each have sales targets to meet, and they’ll want to clear out as much old stock as possible before making way for newer models, which tend to come out around this time.

By looking for your next car during the EOFY period, you could save thousands of dollars off the purchase price.

Flights & accommodation

The end of the financial year is a peak time for holiday spending as Aussies start to get the mid-year blues. Some travel agencies, airlines, and hotels may offer special deals during EOFY sales, so keep an eye out for discounts on flights, hotel bookings or holiday packages.

Check out our travel loans for flights, accommodation, tours and more.

Office supplies & stationery

Retailers offer discounts on office supplies, stationery, and technology equipment during EOFY sales, making it an excellent opportunity to stock up on items for your home office or business needs.

Tips to get the best deal this EOFY

The EOFY sales can be a great time to buy things you need but aren’t sure if you can typically afford. It’s also an excellent time to treat yourself or a loved one with something nice - you deserve it, after all!

But getting a good deal isn’t a guarantee, and naturally, some retailers might look to take advantage of this flurry of activity. 

“The sales are designed to make you feel like you're missing out - do your research and buy the product on sale if it's right for you," said CHOICE Director of Reviews and Testing, Matthew Steen.

To make the most out of the EOFY sales in Australia, here are some tips to help you maximise your savings and shopping experience:

1. Research and plan

Many retailers release their sale prices ahead of time, and once they do, these plans should be listed online somewhere that's easy to find. Think about what you need and research participating retailers, comparing their prices, discounts, product reviews, and convenience for you.

2. Sign up for retailer newsletters

Subscribe to newsletters or follow the social media accounts of your favourite retailers to stay informed. They often send out exclusive deals, discounts, or early access to loyal customers.

3. Prepare a shopping list

Make a list of the items you need or have been planning to buy, prioritised by importance and cost. This will help you stay organised and avoid unnecessary purchases.

4. Set a budget

It's easy to get carried away with attractive discounts, so having a budget in place will help you make responsible financial decisions.

5. Compare products and prices

Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean it's the best deal. Some retailers, during busy sales periods, increase the price before offering a 'discount', which is really just the original price or slightly lower.

Don't settle for 20% off when you could've spent an extra five minutes searching to get 30% off the same product.

6. Consider an alternative brand or model

You don't always need to buy the latest model of something (like an appliance or piece of tech), as a recent, older model might have the same or similar features at a significantly reduced price.

The same goes for brands: premium brands might cost more, but could you get a better deal buying from somewhere lesser known?

7. Avoid unnecessary add-ons

This is particularly important for more expensive items like TVs or cars. When buying, don't undo your work finding a bargain by adding expensive accessories you don't need.

One common example is an extended warranty. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have the right to repair, refund, or replace a product in the event of a major fault. But CHOICE found that seven in 10 (71%) of stores in Australia tried to 'upsell' extended warranties on products despite these often not being necessary.

8. Haggle and price-match

Watch for some retailers' price-matching policies to secure the lowest price available. If you see a lower price for the same item at a competitor, take a photo or screenshot of it and bring it with you if you're visiting in-store.

Don't be afraid to haggle with the retailer on the final price, either. Even during peak sales periods, you could potentially get an even greater discount by asking.

Familiarise yourself with the return policies of the retailers you plan to buy from as well. If you end up buying a dud, being able to return the product and get a refund or replacement could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars.

9. Use different payment methods

Some credit cards or payment platforms offer additional discounts, cashback, or reward points during sales events. Taking advantage of these perks when paying can give you an even better deal and maximise your savings.

Avoid going into debt for EOFY sales

Debt has become extremely popular at this time of year, as well as during other popular sales periods like Christmas, Boxing Day, and Black Friday. For example, the November 2022 Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales weekend saw $75.69 billion worth of transactions made on their credit and debit cards, the highest volume EVER recorded by the Reserve Bank!

The same applies to other types of debt beyond just credit cards. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, for example, can be incredibly tempting, offering the allure of immediate gratification without the immediate financial outlay. Many outlets will encourage you to buy with BNPL as well, but these platforms come with the risk of overspending.

Even more so than BNPL, payday loans (aka short-term loans) and wage advances should be avoided at all costs during these sales. The appeal of additional cash might seem enticing, but these can be some of the most financially dangerous options.

Spent too much? Consider a debt consolidation loan

It’s easy to overspend and end up with EOFY debt, which can be overwhelming if you’re unable to pay it all off quickly. 

A Jacaranda Finance Debt Consolidation Loan might be the solution. It allows you to merge multiple debts into a single payment, simplifying your finances.

Check if you qualify today (without affecting your credit score) to consolidate up to $25,000 worth of debts. The debt can be repaid over loan terms of up to 48 months in manageable instalments.

With Jacaranda, you could:

1. Apply in just 5-12 minutes¹
2. Receive a same-day outcome² on your application
3. Get your money within 60 seconds³ if approved