Canberrans snare bargain buys at Boxing Day sales

National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said a forecasted $48.46 million was expected to be spent on the day across the ACT.

"That spend is 4.2 per cent up on last year and very consistent with our national increase as well," she said.

"It means good things for retailers in Canberra and consumers bagging a bargain too."

Boxing Day continued to be the best sale in the 12 month cycle as retailers slashed prices trying to flush out inventory for the next year, she said.

Electronics were a top selling item, along with homewares and men's and women's apparel but Ms Lamb said cosmetics had also been flying out the doors across the country.

"Shoppers have been spending consistently with higher spends per person than what we have typically seen," she said.

"The Commonwealth Bank has said this is the highest consumer spend in December for seven and a half years, which is a really good thing," she said.

Factors such as record low interest rates and consistency in government had helped with boosting consumer confidence, she said.

Dom Fusca said as his wife was buying he was being loaded up with bagfuls of new goodies to take out to the car.

The pair from the Sunshine Coast arrived at 7am and, before 9am, had taken two loads to the car to free themselves up for more shopping.

"It is a tradition for us, but we don't live here anymore so we come to stay with family and buy an extra suitcase to take all this home on the plane," he said.

Fraser resident Oliva Ware had her heart set on spending big in cosmetics stores and justified buying $130 worth of Lush soaps and gift packs, knowing she had saved $120.

Her brother Michael Ware, who was helping his sister with her brimming bags, said he was in the market for a television and was bracing himself for the queues at JB HiFi.

"It's best to go to the larger stores for the best prices I think," he said. "I've been looking online and have one in mind. Now it's just a matter of just getting in there."