Men leading bumper Boxing Day sales - Sky News Australia

Updated: 17:13, Wednesday December 26, 2012

Retailers are hopeful Boxing Day sales are up on last year, as fashion hungry males hunting in packs lead the charge in the nationwide attempt to bag a bargain.

From Sydney to Adelaide, thousands of shoppers rose early to ensure their spot at the forefront of the traditional buying blood bath.

Sydney's Pitt Street Mall and surrounding streets were packed with long queues outside CBD stores such as Gucci, Topshop and Swarovski.

History was made in Adelaide as about 120-thousand people flocked to Rundle Mall following the introduction of new trading hours.

It's a trend the Australian National Retailers Association hopes will be echoed elsewhere.

It has forecast national sales will top $1.8 billion, up about 2.5 per cent on last year.

The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) predicts Victorians will spend the most at $588 million, closely followed by NSW on $511 million.

Victoria has unrestricted trading across the state, but NSW has public holiday shopping restrictions outside tourist precincts.

Spending for the first week of the sales Australia-wide is predicted to top $5.7 billion.