AAP

Retailers are hoping healthy Boxing Day sales will lead to a spending resurgence in 2012.

Interest rate cuts in November and December failed to excite consumers in the lead-up to Christmas, as unusually cold weather in eastern Australia dampened fashion sales.

With more unsold stock than usual, department stores David Jones and Myer opened their doors at 5am (AEDT) on Monday, giving dedicated shoppers in downtown Sydney and Melbourne an extra early chance to snare a bargain.

David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra said early indications showed numbers were similar to last year.

"It's pleasing given the tough start to the retail sector this season," he told reporters in Sydney.

The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) expected a national Boxing Day sales tally of $1.7 billion.

"This is a particularly important day for the retail sector as we've had a slightly less robust than expected run-up to the Christmas season," chief executive Margy Osmond told reporters in Sydney.

"Boxing Day is a very important indicator of the year to come and how willing people are actually to spend."

Across Australia, discounted clothing was expected to remain the most popular sales item, with the ANRA forecasting 58 per cent of shoppers hunting for a new outfit or office shirt.

One-third of bargain hunters were tipped to seek either an electronic or homeware item, which are selling for up to 60 per cent off.

Microsoft Xbox gaming consoles and Apple iPad tablet computers were tipped to keep selling.

Discounted luxury items were in vogue, with long queues seen outside crystal stores in Sydney and Brisbane.

In Melbourne, grey skies appeared to turn off shoppers but Myer spokesman Steven Carey was confident numbers would pick up.

"The weather has something to do with it as well, and also being the day after Christmas Day, but we certainly expect it will continue to grow throughout the day," Mr Carey said.

Retail Traders Association WA executive director Wayne Spencer said turnover in Perth's Murray Street Mall was likely to be strong.

But he was dismayed at the state's restrictive Sunday and public holiday trading hours.

"It's crazy that the WA parliament doesn't really understand the workings of the retail industry," he said.

Acting Queensland Premier Andrew Fraser and consumer group Choice reminded shoppers to remember it was illegal for stores to refuse refunds on sale items.

With accessories on her mind, Cristina Fiorenza arrived at David Jones in downtown Sydney just before 10am (AEDT) hoping to snap up a discounted handbag.

"It depends on the bag and the quality," the beauty therapist from Bondi Beach told AAP.

"I haven't been here for a few years."