Aussies Hunt EOFY Tech Bargains As PayPal Warns Scammers Are Circling – channelnews

Aussies Hunt EOFY Tech Bargains As PayPal Warns Scammers Are Circling – channelnews

Australians are heading into this year’s EOFY sales with tighter budgets but a strong appetite for discounted technology, with new PayPal research revealing 71% of shoppers plan to take part in the discounts. The figure matches last year’s result, suggesting cost-of-living pressures have not killed off demand, but are instead making consumers more deliberate about when and where they spend. PayPal found that 83% of Australians are more price conscious than a year ago, while 78% are using sales events to stretch their money further. Three-in-four Australians said cost-of-living pressures made them more likely to shop during sales events such as EOFY, with 70% saying online sales events helped them manage household budget pressure. Separate research from Compare the Market also points to a strong EOFY turnout, with 56% of Australians planning to make purchases during the sales period and the average shopper expected to spend $593. The survey of more than 1,000 Aussies found smartphones were the second-most popular planned purchase at 21%, behind fashionwear at 34%, while smartwatches, televisions and tablets each attracted 12% of intended shoppers. Victorians are tipped to spend the most, with an average planned outlay of $613, followed by New South Wales at $592 and Queensland at $546. South Australian shoppers were more cautious, with an average expected spend of $520. The findings come as tech brands and major retailers push hard into EOFY, with discounts across smartphones, laptops, TVs, headphones, tablets, gaming gear, robot vacuums and smart home products. Samsung has moved early, cutting more than $400 from its Galaxy S26 Ultra, while carriers including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have been using device credits and trade-in offers. JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Lenovo, HP, Amazon and other retailers are also using EOFY to clear stock and drive big-ticket upgrades before 30 June, with laptops, phones, monitors, TVs and audio gear among the most heavily promoted categories. PayPal’s data suggests electronics remain one of the key drawcards, with 41% of EOFY shoppers planning to buy tech during the sales. Fashion and clothing ranked higher at 48%, while health and beauty sat at 33%. The new figures add a more optimistic layer to last week’s Australian Retail Council and Roy Morgan research, which forecast EOFY spending of $10.7 billion but warned growth would be just 1.9% year-on-year, below inflation. That report found 6.1 million Australians planned to shop EOFY sales, with electronics and technology accounting for 12% of intended purchases. PayPal Australia Head of Consumer Research Cathy Jamieson said shoppers were becoming more strategic. “Shoppers are actively waiting for sale moments like EOFY before they buy, particularly for big ticket items,” she said. But the shift online has also raised security concerns. PayPal found 73% of Australians believe online sales events are faster and more convenient than shopping in-store, while 58% are worried about scams, fake offers or fraudulent websites. Jamieson said major sales events were “prime time for scammers” and urged shoppers to stick with trusted retailers, check website legitimacy and use secure payment methods.