Australian stores that offer late night Christmas shopping

As Christmas approaches, several stores across Australia are extending their opening hours. Over $22 billion is expected to be spent on gifts and food at this busy time of year.

The extended trading hours means those who leave their shopping until the last minutes are lucky. In Victoria, Chadstone will service customers for 34 hours straight in the Christmas lead up.

Melbourne's Chadstone will be opening for 34 hours of trade between December 23 and Christmas Eve. It means anyone can steal a chance for a late night bargain there.

Those looking for last-minute Christmas presents can also head to Sydney's George Street Myer, which will stay open from 8 am (local time) until 11 pm on December 18 to 19, and 8 am until midnight from December 20 to 23. Westfield Marion in South Australia will be open for up to 36 hours.

It will open its doors for all shoppers from 9 am on December 21 until 9 pm on December 22, with additional hours till 9 pm from December 18 until 20. Westfield Parramatta is offering a “non-stop shop” with trading hours starting at 9:30 am on December 21 until 9 pm the following day.

Westfield Sydney will be open until 9 pm from December 18-20 and 22, right up to midnight on December 21. On December 23, the store will be open until 7 pm.

Westfield Chermside in Brisbane will also allow extended trade between 9 am and 9 pm from December 18 to 20. Most stores in Perth offer extended hours until 9 pm.

Other retailers like Myer, David Jones, Westfield, Woolworth and Coles will be open for procrastinators. Some offer opportunities for all-night bargain buying of personal stuff or Christmas presents. Smaller gifts are set to be the trend this year as people choose to deliver the “minimalist message,” money expert Bessie Hassan has said.

The opening hours for supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles will vary across stores. Many will be accessible until midnight in the lead up to Christmas.

Finder.com’s new research suggests people will spend upwards of $1,100 each during the Christmas time. Aussies are expected to spend $492 on presents, $141 for food and $131 on beverages.

Those from New South Wales are likely to splurge the most, spending an average of $1,359. People in Tasmania, on the other hand, are expected to keep costs lower and shell out just $715. Hassan recommends writing a shopping list to keep spending in check, ​the Daily Mail reports.