Afterpay reveals 2024 shopping habits in new Afterpaid report

Casual cool and the colour red dominated Aussie fashion in 2024, according to buy-now pay-later giant Afterpay.

The company’s latest “Afterpaid” report shows sales of ‘red items’ jumping 24 per cent from 2023, while crocs, trainers, leggings and loungewear also rocketed higher.

Adidas Sambas recorded a mammoth 231 per cent spike in sales and kitten heels surged 164 per cent.

But Aussies also mixed up the casual with the elegant and racy, with lace skirts rising 63 per cent and bubble dresses exploding 575 per cent higher.

The data, drawn from 29 million transactions between January 1 and October 30, traverses a wide range of consumer goods and sectors to present a general picture of shopping habits over the year.

In the toy market, Barbie is out and homegrown hero Bluey is in.

Afterpay recorded an 83 per cent increase in Bluey-related toys, books and accessories across the year, compared to a 19 per cent fall for Barbie goods.

In NSW, more than 35,000 individual Bluey items were sold, while Queensland recorded more than 32,000 items sold.

Millennial parents bought up 60 per cent of Bluey purchases nationwide.

In the tech space, gaming looks to be on the rise, with a 34 per cent increase in gaming chairs.

Smart watches jumped 23 per cent and electric scooter sales leapt 35 per cent.

Australian wanderlust continued, with Booking.com hotel stays one of the most popular purchases across all categories.

Queensland’s Gold Coast remains one of the country’s top domestic tourist draws, with the Warner Bros Movie World theme park a big attraction for Afterpay customers.

Gold Coast locals are also making the most of the city’s theme parks, with tens of thousands buying special local pass day tickets.

Aussies are also spoiling their pets, with key pet products recording healthy bumps, including a 53 per cent increase in dog beds.

Afterpay trends expert Amanda Shannahan-Moore said the year reflected a blend of nostalgia with a desire for in-the-moment experiences.

“This year’s Afterpaid 2024 data not only highlights a nostalgic journey but also shows how Australians are prioritising experiences and comfort, reflecting a unique blend of past and present in their purchasing decisions,” she said.

“Iconic throwbacks like press-on nails and Crocs made a major comeback, while Aussies also splurged on real-life moments, experiences tickets dominating Afterpay’s top purchases of the year.”

US tech company Block acquired Afterpay in 2022.

Block is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of some $95bn.