How to Unlock 41% More Sales This March with Afterpay Day: Essential Insights for Retailers

New research from Afterpay reveals key consumer trends and spending habits ahead of one of the biggest shopping events of the year

 

DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/SYDNEY — 3 March, 2025: Leading buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform, Afterpay, has unveiled its latest insights in the “Afterpay Day Unlocked: 2025” report, spotlighting consumer behaviour and spending priorities ahead of March’s highly anticipated Afterpay Day. As economic conditions drive shoppers to seek value and flexible payment options, this event presents an unparalleled opportunity for retailers to boost their sales.

Afterpay Day continues to expand its influence, drawing more than 1.2 million shoppers from Australia and New Zealand in the last event and more than 4.3 million households taking part. 

Notably, Merchants who participated in last year’s Afterpay Day saw an average 41% revenue increase, reinforcing the event’s importance for retailers looking to reach both new and returning customers and unlock new revenue streams. 

Looking ahead to March 2025, 50% of Afterpay customers are planning to shop Afterpay Day, while another 50% are considering participation. This signals a strong turnout for prepared retailers.

Consumer shopping trends for Afterpay Day

The report highlights key shifts in consumer shopping behaviour:

• Omnichannel Engagement: More than half of shoppers (56%) will shop both in-store and online, underscoring the importance of an omnichannel strategy for retailers.
• Support for SMBs: SMBs are expected to win big, with 51% of shoppers prioritising purchases from independent retailers.
• Early Planning: Consumers are planning their purchases earlier, with 31% researching and deciding in early to mid-March, while another 31% will make their final decisions during the sale itself.

Shoppers are also primed to take advantage of Afterpay Day discounts across a wide range of categories, with fashion leading the way (26%), followed by electronics and tech (19%), beauty, health and wellness (16%), and homewares, furniture, and home improvement (14%). Notably, 11% of shoppers are inclined towards travel and experiences, highlighting a growing trend towards lifestyle and experiential purchases.

How Retailers Can Win Afterpay Day 2025

The Afterpay Day Unlocked Report offers actionable strategies for retailers:

• Offer strong discounts: Percentage-off promotions drive the highest engagement, with sales increasing by 17% on average and by 32% for SMBs.
• Boost discoverability early: With 361,000 Google searches for ‘Afterpay’ occurring during the last event, visibility across search and digital platforms is key.
• digital engagement: During the previous Afterpay Day, 57 million Afterpay Day messages were viewed, proving that strategic online marketing can significantly impact sales.
• Consistent omnichannel experience: With a majority of shoppers browsing both online and in-store, consistent messaging and seamless digital-to-physical shopping experiences are critical.

Katrina Konstas, Country Manager APAC at Afterpay, said: “Afterpay Day has solidified its position as a pivotal event in the Australian and New Zealand retail calendar. It offers merchants a unique platform to connect with a motivated audience eager for value and flexible payment solutions to empower their spending.”

Fleur Brown, ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer, said: “Afterpay Day represents a significant opportunity for retailers across Australia and New Zealand to connect with value-conscious consumers. It allows retailers the chance to engage with consumers and boost sales while also strengthening customer relationships through flexible payment solutions. We know retailers will be putting their best foot forward for Afterpay Day, from fantastic offers to seamless online shopping experiences, and we’re hopeful this uptick will give much-needed confidence to businesses moving forward.”

A copy of the full Afterpay Day Unlocked Report: 2025 can be found [HERE].