Retailers have high hopes for 2014 following a strong Christmas period and the release of yesterday’s better than expected November sales figures, says the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).

The ARA and research partner, Roy Morgan Research, said retailers are continuing to work around the clock to exceed the $15.1 billion predicted to go through retail tills before the end of next week – an estimated two per cent rise on last year’s predicted post-Christmas predicted sales of $14.8 billion.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers have claimed Christmas 2013 to be a success as the $15.1 billion post-Christmas sales period (Boxing Day through to mid January) draws to an end next week.

“Last year’s post-Christmas predicted sales ($14.8 billion) were almost spot on, with the actual figure confirmed only slightly lower at $14.6 billion,” Zimmerman said.

“Based on the actual figure of $14.6 billion, we now see an even larger percentage growth year on year at 3.8 percent – a positive sign for the retail sector.

“The seasonally adjusted rise (0.7 per cent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported yesterday by the ABS followed a 0.5 percent rise in October 2013. Year on year retail growth also increased to 4.6 percent – a very positive sign for the retail sector and encouraging start to the Christmas sales period.

“These positive figures mean we can expect even higher results in December, when the majority of Australians started their Christmas shopping.

“Yesterdays figures also included online estimates for the first time. Based on the 1.8 per cent ABS figure, the ARA estimates overall Australian based annual online retail sales to be $4.74 billion dollars. These retailers are Australian based, pay Australian taxes and employ Australians. Overall, the online figures are a great indication that the retail sector has experienced a good start to Christmas and Australian retailers are growing in the online space.

“Anecdotally, a number of retailers I have spoken to since Christmas have been blown away by how enormous Boxing Day was and how successful sales have been over the last two weeks. Boxing Day sales gave shoppers the perfect excuse to spoil themselves a little, whereas pre-Christmas shopping is generally more a selfless act.

“The ARA is looking forward to the official pre and post-Christmas sales results which will be released in the near future,” Zimmerman said.

Roy Morgan Research figures – post-Christmas: