“I think the merchants are in much better shape than they have been the past couple of years. But if we get a similar sales surge[as] we have got the past couple of years,there will be some challenges,” he said.
Businesses across the country have been getting ready for Christmas early and building up inventory to prepare for the possibility that they won’t have enough stock,he said.
The impact of rising interest rates on household spending is also a big unknown in the lead-up to festive spending,he said.
“If people keep their money in their pocket because of interest rates,then I think we are going to be in good shape.”
Australia Post is feeling the impact of labour shortages across its network. Graham said earlier in the month that the recruitment process for seasonal workers had been particularly challenging.
“Against that backdrop of labour issues and cost issues,we have seen exponential growth in ecommerce,” he said on Thursday.