Can anyone explain the Australian toy sales in July

[elvisgirl]

I can't get my head round why there are these massive toy sales at the moment in Kmart/Big W/Target. Are they for buying toys for christmas? Why now? Is it an American thing too?
I don't really get the whole layby thing either. I did ask a friend once & she said she used it so she could buy something she wanted but didn't have space in the house for

Christmas in July.

I have no idea but it has reminded me that one of our friends had a really ditzy gf who thought Christmas was on 25th June in australia as it was in teh middle of summer
She was lovely, but seriosuly dim. she asked if I wanted wine once and I said 'Is the Pope a Catholic?' and she answered, in all seriousness, I don't know, it's either that or protestant, but I can never rememeber which.

Anyway, as you were.

It's been going on for years. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some nefarious corporate reason behind it (eg spotting Christmas trends early and having 4 months to ramp up your Chinese sweatshops elves).

I also suspect they encourage lay-by because then they know for a fact that you will be coming back to the shop (probably having left the DC at home) in December to collect it, and the chances are very good that you'll pick up extra gifts while you're there.

Ah crap, my strikeout never works.

I remember the sales being in June before end of financial year - getting rid of stuff before stocktake. Not sure about July though!

I knew people who would use lay-by so they didn't have to hide the presents from their DCs for quite so long. Big stuff that was hard to hide.

Layby is an aussie thing and has been around forever. I remember my mum talking about putting her bedroom suite on layby in the 1950's.

Don't know why they do it BUT I love it. Have done all my christmas shopping for all the children in our family and the others that we buy for. All on layby. Closer to Christmas - only have to buy for adults.

Not clogging my house with things and I can pay $5 a week for things. July is start of new year - people getting tax returns or some folk get bonus payments at this time.

They have been doing this forever in terms of the toy sales. Lots of sales around the time of year - stock take sales, end of financial year sales.

I think layby's a brilliant idea. They do it in the States too, don't they, but call it layaway? Brilliant enforced saving scheme without using credit.

No idea about toy sales, though. Took me by surprise (this is first year toys really on radar), we foolishly ventured into a KMart for something and my daughter was delighted at the displays.

Layby has been around in the UK for years. I remember it as a child, I remember it when buying stuff for my children. I haven't needed it for a long while so hadn't noticed it's not as common as it once was.

Yes, it's the layby system. There wukk be another raft of sales in October. Though not as big as this lot! Enjoy.

I was totally puzzled when I arrived here end of June and was earnestly told that I should buy the kids' Christmas presents in the sales - finding somewhere to live was a bit more of a priority. I don't know what I'll want for breakfast tomorrow let alone trying to second guess what my kids might want as presents in six months time so it's not for me though I am awestruck by anyone who is so organised

Because it is the end of the financial year just before that & lots of people have done their tax returns & get money back!