Big spenders are expected to hit the Boxing Day sales with force as retailers prepare for a predicted $23.5 billion splurge across Australia.
Despite inflation and cost of living pressures squeezing budgets, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) forecasted retail sales would remain strong.
The predicted spend looks to be a 7.9 per cent increase on last year's post-Christmas shopping which takes in the period from December 26 to January 15.
Roy Morgan analysts anticipated New South Wales shoppers to spend the most, up an expected 9.5 per cent on 2021.
Food, household goods and clothing are expected to be the top three most popular categories.
ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said retailers were expecting a spending slow down in 2023 but the predicted results were encouraging.
"It's clear to see Australians' love affair with shopping continues. Shopping and dining out remain some of our most beloved pastimes through the holiday season," he said.
"It's been a tough year for many and this year we are seeing what we are calling 'freedom' spending, where people reward themselves after an intense and challenging period."
Mr Zahra said shoppers tended to wait for Boxing Day discounts to spend on themselves, whereas pre-Christmas spending was usually reserved for gifts.
But he acknowledged inflation and unseasonal weather was likely skewing the spend predictions upwards.
The Nation Retail Association predicted a $3 billion spend in Boxing Day sales alone across Australia.
Interim chief executive Lindsay Carroll said despite the growing popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Boxing Day still reigned supreme for Australian shoppers looking for a bargain.
Ms Carroll said while online shopping had grown in popularity, 50 per cent of shoppers still preferred to head to stores in person.
Aussie travellers looking for bargain airfares could also be in luck with budget airline Jetstar promising sales on more than 80,000 domestic and international fares in the next 48 hours.
© AAP 2022