ANZ is forecasting a significant retail uplift this Father’s Day weekend, with customer spending expected to reach $611 million – a 3.45% increase on last year’s spending.
The bank’s latest data shows Australians embrace both experiences and gifts to celebrate dads and father figures, with strong growth anticipated across categories including dining out, wineries, clothing and accessories expected in 2025.
“Father’s Day continues to be a powerful moment of connection for Australians, with spending trends reflecting a desire to celebrate through both meaningful experiences and thoughtful gifts,” said ANZ Acting Managing Director of Retail Products Yiken Yang.
“Over the Father’s Day weekend, ANZ customers embrace everything from dining out to charitable giving to honour the father figures in their lives. We expect many dads to be spoiled with a nice dinner, some new socks, or a brand-new vinyl for his record player this year.”
Engaging sentimental sales
Research from Shopfully, the global powerhouse in drive-to-store marketing, reveals that 78% of Aussies are gearing up to spoil Dad this Father’s Day. In fact, one in four say they plan to spend more than they did last year.
Top present picks include wardrobe upgrades (51%), tasty indulgent food and drinks (41%), tools and hardware (32%) and tech treats like electronics and gadgets (26%).
Brendan Straw, Country Manager for Shopfully, Australi says while one in five shoppers will look online and in-store as part of their shopping journey, at least half (50%) prefer to purchase in-store, where they can see, touch and assess the gift firsthand.
“For occasions like Father’s Day, that hands-on reassurance matters – because it’s not just about buying something, it’s about selecting a gift that carries meaning,” he said.
Shopfully also found that while budgets remain tight, Australians aren’t simply chasing the cheapest option. Shoppers are seeking gifts that strike a balance – with personalisation (33%) and practicality (29%) ranking alongside affordability.
“Most shoppers are working with a budget under $100, with 69% saying they’ll stay within that range,” Mr Straw said.
“The opportunity for retailers? Spotlight gifts that feel meaningful and premium, without the hefty price tag.”
Last year’s trends
According to ANZ’s data, total spend increased by 6.7%, reaching $591 million during Father’s Day weekend compared to the previous year (2023). Women outspent men on Father’s Day 2024, particularly in categories such as food, camping, music, and stationery. Gen X led overall spending, followed by millennials, while Gen Z recorded the highest year-on-year growth at 22%.
Victoria led as the highest spenders, with an additional $9.1 million spent compared to a regular weekend, while South Australia saw the greatest uplift at 6.3%. Every state and territory recorded a per capita increase of over 35%.
Spending patterns also revealed key differences between Father’s Day and Mother’s Day: motor vehicles and computers saw higher spending for Father’s Day, while health and beauty dominate Mother’s Day. Interestingly, women tend to spend more on Father’s Day, while men spend more on Mother’s Day.
