ANZ customers spend GBP £656 million on Father's Day

ANZ customers spent more than $656 million over the 2025 Father's Day weekend, with spending rising across retail, hospitality and entertainment compared with a normal weekend.

Transaction data showed the strongest increase in books and newsagents, where spending was up 25.8 per cent against the average of the weekends immediately before and after Father's Day. Takeaway alcohol followed with a 19.2 per cent rise, while spending at cinemas increased 15.5 per cent.

Restaurants and cafes also recorded a marked lift, with spending up 13.4 per cent, adding AUD $6.9 million over the weekend. Bars and hotels posted a 7.2 per cent increase.

The figures point to a mix of gift buying and shared outings, with customers also spending more on sporting goods and jewellery. Sporting goods spending rose 11.8 per cent, while jewellery was up 10.5 per cent.

Other parts of the leisure economy also saw heavier traffic. Transaction volumes in the music category increased 17.6 per cent, while visits to parks and attractions rose, with transaction volumes up 14.2 per cent.

In cinemas, spending increased with little change in transaction numbers, suggesting customers spent more per visit over the weekend.

Retail lift

The spending uplift at books and newsagents stood out not only for total value but also for customer activity. Transactions in that category climbed 32.2 per cent, the largest increase by volume among the listed sectors.

That pattern suggests Father's Day shopping extended beyond meals and social occasions into smaller-ticket retail categories often associated with gifts. The data also showed gains in areas tied to experiences rather than physical purchases.

Hospitality boost

The rise in food and drink spending adds to signs that the occasion remains significant for hospitality operators. Cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels all registered gains, reflecting demand for meals out and social gatherings over the weekend.

Joanna Gurry, Managing Director, Data and Analytics, ANZ, said Father's Day still carries weight for households and traders.

"The data shows Father's Day is more than just a family celebration. It's a major spending event that delivers meaningful benefits for businesses across retail and hospitality. Whether Australians are taking dad out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, buying a thoughtful gift, or gathering with family and friends, we're seeing spending flow through to a broad range of sectors. Father's Day remains an important occasion on the retail calendar, providing businesses with an opportunity to connect with customers and be part of how families celebrate their dads," Gurry said.

The figures cover spending over the Father's Day weekend and compare it with the average across the two surrounding weekends. That benchmark offers a view of how much spending shifted because of the occasion rather than broader seasonal patterns.

Experience spending

Entertainment venues were among the beneficiaries. Cinema spending rose 15.5 per cent, while music transactions increased 17.6 per cent, suggesting families allocated more money to outings and activities.

Michael Smith, Owner, Sun Theatre, said the period is notable for his business and nearby traders.

"Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the father figures in our lives while supporting local businesses. It's always a popular occasion at the theatre, with families coming together to share an experience and create lasting memories.

"We're proud to offer some of the things dads value most: thoughtful gifts and memorable experiences. Whether it's enjoying a day at the movies, giving a voucher for a future visit, picking up a great read from The Sun Bookshop, or even a pair of our locally made Sun Theatre socks inspired by the theatre's iconic heritage carpet, there are plenty of ways to spoil dad. It's also a chance to support the local traders who help make our community vibrant year-round," Smith said.

The data suggests the Father's Day effect reached across several parts of the consumer economy, from bookshops and bottle shops to restaurants, cinemas and tourist attractions, with books and newsagents recording the largest spending uplift at 25.8 per cent.