Shoppers threw open their wallets at Boxing Day sales across the country, breaking all records for the start of the summer clearance period and surpassing even the retailers' expectations.
The Australian Retailers Association's executive director Russell Zimmerman said Boxing Day trade had likely passed its own projection of a record-breaking $2.3 billion in sales nationwide.
The Retail Council said early indicators showed $2.5 billion ringing into tills on December 26, and predicts $7.2 billion to be spent between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve and $20.8 billion from Boxing Day to January 16.
He said the strongest sales on Boxing Day had been in fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and corporate attire.
"If you looked at the shops that were selling shirts, ties, suits and women's corporate dress wear, they were really buzzing," he said.
Both David Jones and Myer broke from the starting blocks early this year, offering discounts to online shoppers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, respectively.
Mr Zimmerman said sales were up thanks to high consumer confidence, which in turn was buoyant because of the "Turnbull effect".
"The fact there has been a change in prime minister, I believe has given the public a little bit more confidence, and once there's confidence, you get people who are prepared to spend," he said.
"Consumers actually believe the government is in the process of trying to get the economy moving, and I think the innovation statement would be part of that."
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