New BIG W research reveals nearly half of parents usually leave Book Week costumes to the last minute
BIG W has launched Same Day Delivery, powered by DoorDash, helping families quickly secure last-minute Book Week costumes and ongoing everyday essentials
New research shows 49%* of parents scramble at the last minute, and 18% have faced last-minute Book Week costume changes from their children.
Thousands of BIG W products are eligible, including this year’s most in-demand Book Week costumes; orders placed before 12pm are delivered the same day in participating areas.
Queensland leads the last-minute trend, with 55% of parents delaying their preparations.
14 August 2026: With Book Week fast approaching, the annual costume scramble is in full swing. New research from BIG W has revealed nearly half (49%) of Aussie parents are leaving Book Week costume planning to the final days, turning the fun celebration into a high-pressure deadline.
Coming to the rescue of families just in time for Book Week, BIG W is rolling out Same Day Delivery powered by DoorDash, giving families a fast and convenient way to access thousands of BIG W items, including the essentials they need for Book Week and beyond.
The new solution arrives as 89% of parents report facing costume-related hurdles for Book Week. One in five (18%) has faced a last-minute costume change request from their child and one in nine (11%) has resorted to making a costume the day before from items around the house.
Ryan Gracie, Chief Customer Officer at BIG W, said: "Every year we see Book Week become a race against the clock for many families. Between school, work, sport and everything else, it’s easy for costume planning to slip down the list until suddenly the parade is just around the corner.
“Same Day Delivery with DoorDash is a lifeline for busy families, particularly for unexpected and last minute needs. Whether it’s a Book Week costume pivot, a rainy-day craft kit, or emergency household supplies, families can now have those items delivered directly to their doors within hours.”
Katy Rogers, Head of Sales and Partnerships, DoorDash ANZ, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with BIG W to power their Same Day Delivery service, helping families tick off their to-do list without having to drop everything for a trip to the shops. We know how important time is for families, and this new offering means families can get things done more easily.
“This partnership supports our mission to help Aussies households in all aspects of daily life, beyond food delivery. By unlocking a faster delivery service across BIG W’s extensive range of everyday essentials, we’re making it even easier for families to access the items they need when time matters most.”
BIG W sales data predicts the costumes expected to be popular among families this year. With prices starting at $10, offering incredible value and quality, they are available now for Standard, Express or BIG W’s new Same Day delivery, in select locations, while stocks last.
Green Fairy Princess ($10) - a magical fairytale and storybook character, complete with a matching wand
Little Red Riding Hood Costume ($15) – a classic storybook character continuing to inspire young readers
Mermaid Costume ($15) – a colourful fantasy favourite for younger children
Harry Potter Gryffindor Child Robe ($25) – a magical favourite and long-running character
Where’s Wally Child Costume ($25) – a recognisable literary favourite that remains a classroom hit
The Gruffalo Child Costume ($30) – bringing one of Australia’s most loved picture book characters to life
K-Pop Demon Hunters Rumi Classic Child Costume ($29) and Wig ($25) – new releases tapping into the popularity of K-pop inspired characters are expected to be standout choices for 2026
BIG W’s Same Day Delivery powered by DoorDash is available now across select eligible postcodes nationwide, with further expansion planned in the coming weeks.
Customers who place an eligible order before 12pm will receive their delivery by 5pm that evening, while orders placed after 12pm will arrive by 5pm the following day. If a postcode and product are eligible for Same Day delivery, the option will be made available at checkout.
Head to www.bigw.com.au to check your eligibility and shop Same Day delivery now.
Media Contact
For further information, contact Woolworths Media: 02 8885 1033 or media@woolworths.com.au
Research Methodology
The research was commissioned by BIG W and conducted by YouGov online in between 31st July - 4th August August 2026, surveying 1,001 Australian parents with at least one child aged 3-12 nationwide. The figures have been weighted and are representative of allAustralian parents with at least one child aged 3-12. *Unless otherwise stated, all figures reported are based on parents whose child usually participates in Book Week.
About BIG W Same Day Delivery
Order via BIG W website and select ‘Same Day Delivery’
If a postcode and product are eligible, the delivery option will be made available at checkout
Orders placed before 12pm delivered by 5pm the same day
Orders placed after 12pm delivered by 5pm the following day
$12 delivery fee
About BIG W
BIG W is one of Australia’s most loved brands and has been part of families’ lives for over 40 years. At BIG W, we put our customers at the heart of everything we do across our network of 178 stores nationally. We sell exclusive BIG W brands that are simply great quality at everyday low prices as well as feature leading international brands. Our customers can choose everything for their kids, home, themselves, for leisure and for their everyday life. Our team of over 19,000 members is located in Australia, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.