Why thousands of shoppers are racing to Big W to load up their trolleys with hauls of items worth hundreds
It's that time of year again when hundreds of parents race to Big W to secure their children's Christmas gifts six months early.
The retailer launched its epic Big Whopping Toy Sale on Tuesday, with mums and dads lining up outside their local stores before opening hours, hoping to grab the top rated items on every child's wish list.
Eager shoppers were up at the crack of dawn to snap up this year's hottest toys from popular brands LEGO, Hot Wheels, Barbie, Pokémon, Bluey, Jurassic World and more.
Pictures have emerged of shoppers with trolleys overflowing with toys worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars - as dozens of parents were spotted waiting outside long before the doors opened.
Big W offers shoppers lay-by for just a $3 fee, allowing them to pay off their huge toy hauls over 21 weeks - meaning they pay in installments and pick up the items just in time for the gift-swapping season.
It's an old-school payment method that helps many families stay on top of their budgets by letting them to pay off purchases over time - without incurring immediate debt or high interest fees.
One happy mum-of-two was seen showing off her toy haul after snapping up a Thomas the Tank Engine train set and a collection of Care Bears for half price.
'I basically grabbed all of the good deals I could find... nearly anything that was half price,' she said.
She's among the group of parents who have opted to lay-by their items.
The mum said the best part about Big W's lay-by is how long shoppers have to pay it off - and that there's no large upfront fee to put their items on hold.
'You have to put down 10 to 20 per cent at a lot of other places just to lay-by so Big W is a good option,' she explained.
And she's not alone.
Another mum who was stocking up on her children's Christmas gifts said: 'Being able to pay things off (gradually) without having to pay everything all at once helps us save money.'
While a third mum said it was a great time of year to grab her children's favourite toy brands - including Bluey, Gabby's Dollhouse and Sylvanian Families.
One dad said he was doing his early Christmas shopping while another mum revealed she was stocking up on birthday and festive gifts.
With Christmas just six months away, Australians parents are choosing to shop early and take advantage of the affordable prices.
Big W's Chief Toy Buyer Christine Faulkner said the toy sale was the most anticipated event on the retailer's calendar.
'The BIG Whopping Toy Sale is the best time of year to buy toys,' she said.
'Our customers use the opportunity to save on all their gifting needs for the next six months, including the holiday season.'
'It's always good to see some of the classic brands, from LEGO to Barbie and Hot Wheels at the top of our trending toys list again this year, but we also have some newer favourites like Squishmallows and Jurassic World joining the top 10.
'If it's building, collecting or adventuring, there's a toy on the list to pique every kind of interest.'
The standout deals include LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon for $929 (saving $221) while the Disney Princess Castle & Royal Pet set is reduced to $149, and the Friends Plant Café & Flower Shop is now $89.
Hot Wheels fans haven't been left out, with the City Ultimate Garage Playset slashed to $99 and the 40 Car Gift Pack now just $59.
Meanwhile, Barbie's iconic Dreamhouse Pool Party Doll House has been reduced to $179, the Dream Camper to $79, and the Dreamplane Playset to $89.
Bluey fans will also be thrilled to see the Take Along Plush 33cm selling for $14 and the Bluey Cook with Chef Playset marked down to $150, with a bonus 2,000 Everyday Rewards points attached.
Tech lovers will also find massive savings, with the Canon EOS 3000D DSLR Camera down to $549, the Apple Watch Series 10 GPS on sale for $499, the PlayStation 5 Digital Console available for $549, and the Nintendo Switch Console Neon selling for $399.
To help customers manage their budgets, Big W offers a $3 extended lay-by for Christmas.
Families can spread their payments over 21 weeks, with collection only required by November 7 2025 - making it a popular option for those wanting to get organised without breaking the bank.
This year's event includes more than 300 new products and a host of online-only exclusive offers through BIG W Market.
Shoppers can also access the sale via Pick Up, Home Delivery, and Direct to Boot services - ideal for those wanting to skip the queues and shop on their own terms.
'The variety, the savings and the flexibility of this year's sale means there's something for everyone,' Faulkner said.
'We expect brands like LEGO, Hot Wheels, Barbie and Pokémon to be some of the most popular products - so if you've got your eye on something, don't wait too long.'
With major discounts already flying off the shelves and stock expected to move quickly, the sale is shaping up to be one of the retailer's biggest yet.
The huge sale ends on July 9.
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