New Wise data unveils global price disparities among top international retailers, helping Aussie travellers save this Summer

• Savings upward of 30% can be made by shopping smarter this travel season 
• Aussies shopping for clothes can bag a better deal doing it overseas in places like South Africa, Japan and Indonesia 

SYDNEY, 20 November 2023 – Global technology company Wise has launched new shopping data, revealing the international pricing disparities amongst six popular consumer fashion brands — proving it pays to shop around when travelling. The study surveyed brands including Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Nike, Levi’s and Adidas; looking at how the same garments from these brands were priced in 30 different destinations. 

It’s no secret Australia is a travel obsessed nation, particularly over the festive season. Separate data from Wise revealed the most popular holiday destinations for Aussies are New Zealand (35%), the UK (28%), Japan (24%), USA (21%) and Singapore (20%). But while they might be popular to holiday in, are Aussies better or worse off shopping there? 

Snag a saving or swerve from spending? 

With the majority of Aussies keen to head to NZ, they should take advantage of Nike being 8% cheaper over there, perfect for anyone looking to update their sports wardrobe. Almost a quarter of Aussies are keen to visit Japan, and with good reason. It’s a cheaper place to shop than Aus if you’re buying from Uniqlo, Nike or Adidas. Singapore is also a great shout if you’re buying from Uniqlo or Levi’s, with both being over 25% cheaper than in Australia. And while India, Croatia, South Africa and Turkey may not be the most popular destinations for Australians, they all get an honourable mention for being considerably cheaper destinations for shopping than Australia. 

Both the UK and the USA also remain popular destinations for over 1 in 5 Australians, however if you’re looking to get more bang for your buck when it comes to clothes shopping; you won’t find it in either of these places. In the UK, almost all brands in the research are more expensive, including Nike which is a staggering 34% more costly. And it’s no different in the USA, in fact it’s worse: all brands are more expensive - and by quite a bit. Other countries where you can expect to fork out an arm (and a leg) for clothes shopping include Saudi Arabia, Denmark and Brazil. So, if you’re heading to any of these places, shop for your fits’ before you jet off! 

Tristan Dakin, ANZ Country Manager at Wise shares his tips for Aussie travellers who plan to head abroad this season: 

• Pay in the local currency, always: Travellers should always choose to pay in the currency of the country they’re in. Paying in your home currency means you’re essentially letting the merchant make the exchange rate conversion for you, and you could be paying up to a 10% dynamic currency conversion fee. 
• Don’t use your bank card: Leave your bank card at home and instead, opt for a multi-currency card to spend with when you’re abroad to avoid (hidden) transaction fees and fx fees. The Wise Debit Card lets you hold over 40 currencies, and easily transact in the local currency wherever you are.
• Do your research: ATMs around the world charge varying fees, and these can seriously rack up if you’re using a card where you’re unsure what the fee for cash withdrawals is, or if you’re using an ATM where you’re unsure what the fee is. Make sure you know what withdrawing cash is going to cost you, and consider alternatives if they’re available.

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