Friday morning briefing for Australian shoppers. Father s Day 2026 is 2 days away this Sunday 6 September. The Australian Retailers Association forecasts around 730 million dollars in gift spend, up 1.4 per cent on 2025, but NAB now expects the RBA to lift the cash rate 25 basis points at Tuesday 29 September, so the Father s Day splurge lands right into a fresh mortgage squeeze. Today s live sale scan puts Colette Hayman at up to 81 per cent off as the headline discount, alongside Decjuba, Myer, Robert Gordon, Australian Leather and Sussan.
ARA Tips 730 Million Dollars For Father s Day, Now Add A Rate Hike Squeeze
Per the Australian Retailers Association media release published Wednesday 3 September 2026, Australians are expected to spend around 730 million dollars on Father s Day gifts this year, up 10 million dollars or 1.4 per cent from 2025. The framing from ARA is more shoppers, smaller splurges. Consumers are spreading purchases wider but keeping the average basket restrained, exactly the behaviour a cost of living pressured household should be showing. That is a healthy backdrop for the Father s Day weekend, but the tailwind now runs into a fresh headwind.
Per Canstar reporting on NAB s revised forecast, NAB has moved its call and now expects the Reserve Bank to lift the cash rate by 25 basis points at Tuesday 29 September, taking the target rate to 4.60 per cent. CBA and ANZ hold their hike calls for November, Westpac still expects a cut in August 2027. Trimmed mean inflation is sitting at 3.6 per cent year on year, headline at 3.5 per cent, both above the RBA s 2 to 3 per cent target band. If NAB s call plays out, a 0.25 percentage point rise adds around 91 dollars a month to repayments on a 600,000 dollar loan with 25 years remaining per the Canstar analysis. That is roughly 25 days from now, and per The West s retail reporting, Wesfarmers chief Rob Scott is already reassuring customers Kmart, Target and Bunnings will keep prices low against another rate hike threat. Australian retailers are described as facing a frosty outlook as fuel excise relief and discount stimulus fade.
Practical Friday morning implications. Every dollar you commit to a Father s Day gift this weekend is one less dollar toward what could be a higher mortgage repayment from mid October. That does not mean skip the gift, it means shop deliberately. The It s On Sale editorial line stays consistent through this rate cycle: value first, favour Australian owned retailers with local fulfilment and Australian Consumer Law protection, stack Everyday Rewards and Flybuys where sensible, and avoid the last minute impulse buy on Sunday morning. Today s Top 5 all sit inside that filter.
Two Days Out: Bunnings DeWALT Mower Kit Free Combo Expires Sunday
Per OzBargain deals starting today 4 September 2026, Bunnings is running a locked in Father s Day play on the DeWALT 36V Mower kit at 1,399 dollars, and it comes with a free 5 Piece Mixed Combo redemption valued at 1,699 dollars including a DeWALT Hedge Trimmer worth 269 dollars and a Blower worth 249 dollars. That is a genuine 3,098 dollar retail package for 1,399 dollars. Runs through Sunday 6 September, or 2 days from today, and physical store Click and Collect stays live at 280 plus Bunnings locations through Saturday 5 September. For the DIY dad or the acreage owner who has been eyeing a battery cordless mower, this is one of the strongest headline Father s Day plays on the market this weekend. Australian owned via Wesfarmers, Australian Consumer Law protection applies, and the standard DeWALT 3 year warranty covers the full kit.
The wider Click and Collect network at 30 to 60 minute turnaround right through Saturday 5 September covers most Australian owned majors: JB Hi Fi (300 plus stores), Harvey Norman (280 plus stores nationally, Australian owned), The Good Guys (100 plus stores, Australian owned since 1952), Big W (170 plus stores via Woolworths Group), Rebel Sport, Strandbags at 265 plus stores, Myer (55 stores), David Jones and House. The four reliable Father s Day lanes remaining today are Click and Collect at a local store, an instant digital gift card via email, an in store walk in on Friday or Saturday, or a home service voucher. Treat all posted orders placed today as at risk of missing Sunday.
Woolworths 20x Everyday Rewards On Gift Cards Sept 9 to 15, ShopBack Doubles Today
Two gift card plays worth locking in. Per OzBargain, Woolworths is running 20x Everyday Rewards points on selected TCN branded and Google Play gift cards from Wednesday 9 September through Tuesday 15 September, which works out to approximately 10 per cent effective return on the gift card value once you convert Everyday Rewards points back to grocery discounts. That does not help Father s Day this weekend, but it sets up the Christmas run in nicely, particularly for a dad who is genuinely a Google Play or app store buyer.
Better for today, ShopBack is running increased cashback on gift cards through 8am to 11:59pm Friday 4 September only (today), per OzBargain. Coles gift cards are 3 per cent ShopBack cashback plus a stackable 3 per cent Westpac or St George or Bank of Melbourne or BankSA gift card bonus, for 6 per cent total. Bunnings gift cards are 3 per cent ShopBack plus a 4 per cent bonus, for 7 per cent total. That is a lot better than the typical 1 to 2 per cent gift card return. If you are buying a Father s Day gift card today anyway, route it through ShopBack for the double up while today s bonus is live, and the digital gift card arrives in the recipient s inbox within minutes so it works for Sunday. Costco Australia is also live per OzBargain with a Gold Star or Business membership at 65 dollars a year and a 20 dollar bonus Costco Shop Card using promo code NEW20, running through Tuesday 30 September, for the dad who already has the wholesale bulk buying gene.
Today s Top 5 Deals of the Day
Five stores. Five categories. The deepest headline discounts surfaced from a sweep of every retailer on It s On Sale, audited at dawn.
Discount
Colette HaymanBags & AccessoriesUp to 81 per cent off Colette Hayman: handbags, crossbody bags, backpacks, wallets, purses, work totes, evening clutches, luggage, sunglasses and travel accessories from the Sydney founded, Australian owned label with 100 plus stores nationally and shopfronts in every capital city. Free Australian shipping over 100 dollars, Afterpay and Zip at checkout, 30 day change of mind returns on unworn stock with tags intact, and same day Click and Collect at 100 plus stores across Australia. The 81 per cent cut across the sale range is the deepest headline discount in today s pool and covers current season handbags and purses at accessible entry points, a considered Father s Day path for the dad who is genuinely a wallet, weekender or sunglasses guy, and physical store pick up right through Saturday 5 September delivers zero delivery risk on the 2 day countdown.81%OFF2
DecjubaWomen's FashionUp to 79 per cent off Decjuba: contemporary women s dresses, tailoring, knitwear, denim, coats, activewear and accessories from the Melbourne founded, Australian owned label with 130 plus stores across Australia and New Zealand. Free Australian shipping over 100 dollars, Afterpay and Zip at checkout, 30 day returns on unworn stock. The 79 per cent cut on the sale all collection covers current season dresses, oversized coats, knitwear and premium tailoring for the wife, partner or sister on the Father s Day family lunch guest list, and same day Click and Collect stays live at 130 plus Decjuba stores through Saturday afternoon so there is no post delivery risk.79%OFF3
MyerDepartment StoreUp to 60 per cent off Myer: department store beauty, fragrance, homewares, kitchenware, small appliances, men s tailoring, watches and accessories from Australia s largest department store chain with 55 stores nationally, ASX listed and Australian owned. Australian free shipping over 99 dollars, Afterpay and Zip at checkout, 30 day change of mind returns on unworn full price stock, and same day Click and Collect at every store. The 60 per cent cut on the Myer offers page covers fragrance sets, electric shavers, roasting pans, whisky glasses and men s cotton robes at genuine Father s Day price points, and 55 store Click and Collect through Saturday 5 September solves the last minute post delivery risk on the 2 day countdown.60%OFF4
Robert GordonHomewares & CeramicsUp to 60 per cent off Robert Gordon: hand thrown Australian ceramic dinnerware, coffee mugs, teapots, planters, vases, milk jugs, salt and pepper shakers and gift boxed sets from the Melbourne based, Australian owned pottery studio operating since 1945. Free Australian shipping over 150 dollars, Afterpay at checkout, 30 day returns on unbroken stock. The 60 per cent cut across the sale collection covers hand made ceramics that carry a story, so if the dad on your Sunday guest list drinks his morning coffee and appreciates craft made goods, a Robert Gordon mug set or hand thrown butter dish gift boxed is a Father s Day play that beats another gift card, and delivery within Melbourne metro remains viable if ordered before noon Friday.60%OFF5
Australian LeatherFootwearUp to 50 per cent off Australian Leather: sheepskin ugg boots (short, tall, mini, classic), moccasins, slippers, leather belts, wallets and leather care products from the Sydney based, Australian owned label manufacturing sheepskin footwear locally since 1979. Free Australian shipping over 100 dollars, Afterpay at checkout, 30 day change of mind returns on unworn stock in original packaging, and Sydney showroom collection remains available through Saturday. The 50 per cent cut on the sale collection covers Australian made sheepskin uggs and slippers, one of the strongest wintering Father s Day gift lanes for the dad who wants a warm morning coffee run in his own driveway, and Sydney metro shoppers can walk in to the Bexley factory outlet through Saturday for a physical pick up.50%OFF% discounts shown are indicative across each store s sale range. Individual product savings vary.