What time to start shopping the Boxing Day sales online 2026

Maybe you have a specific list of things you need to buy, or maybe you’re just browsing around for fun. Here’s what you need to know about shopping online this Boxing Day.

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Mia Steiber

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With a rise in the popularity of online shopping, it's now possible to shop the best Boxing Day bargains without all the hassle of leaving the house. As well as avoiding the crowds and the dreaded car parks, you can browse around while enjoying a glass (or two) of wine from your couch.

But just like in-store shopping, online sale periods can have a big impact on how you shop. With this in mind, here are a few things you should know about shopping the Boxing Day sales online.

Most people shop early in the day

The majority of the people shopping the Boxing Day sales are online between the hours of 6am and 2pm. While plenty of people are still shopping late into the afternoon, it will certainly be a smoother experience with fewer sites experiencing lags and delays. Bear in mind, though, that many of the most popular items could be sold out by then, so consider how invested you are in shopping at each store and plan accordingly.

A significant number of people shop as soon as the sales go live at midnight

There are a lot of dedicated people out there shopping the Boxing Day sales during the early hours of the morning from midnight to 2am. Most of them log on at midnight to ensure they snag all the items on their wish lists. If you’re after something really popular, you might want to consider doing the same.

Very few people shop during the evening

There is a huge decline in the number of people shopping online after 8pm. If you’re looking for an uninterrupted shopping experience, this is the time for you to shop.

But the most important thing for successfully shopping the Boxing Day sales is to have a plan. If you have something very specific in mind, it may be worth jumping online at midnight to ensure you get a chance to buy it before the item sells out. The same goes for if you’re interested in a range of products that are very popular. They’ll probably sell out early. But if you’ve got nothing specific in mind, shopping during the evening may provide you with a smoother experience without excessive page loading times due to heavy traffic.

*Statistics are based on the traffic volumes from the finder.com.au Boxing Day hub from 2021.

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Mia Steiber was the shopping editor for Finder. She previously worked for publications such as Bauer Media, The Daily Telegraph, POPSUGAR Australia, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. She has a journalism degree from the University of Technology Sydney, a travel writing certification from the ACIJ and and a total obsession with skincare and Australian fashion labels. See full bio

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