'All systems go' for Boxing Day sales 

VICTORIANS are expected to spend the most amount of money on Boxing Day sales, as retailers declare the post Christmas rush the best since the global financial crisis (GFC).

Australians are expected to spend $1.9 billion on sales on Thursday, up about 5.6 per cent from the year before, Australian National Retail Association (ANRA) CEO Margy Osmond told reporters in Sydney.
"This is going to be a bumper Boxing Day," she said.
"(It) probably makes it just about the best we have seen since the GFC."
Victorians are expected to spend the most this year at $636.8 million, followed by NSW at $545.4 million and Queensland at $349.5 million.

Western Australians are expected to spend $181 million, followed by Tasmania at $47.1 million and the Northern Territory at $23.7 million.
Consumers were feeling the effects of lower interest rates and an improving housing market, as well as feeling more settled after the federal election, Ms Osmond said.
"All the portents are good for a good first quarter of 2014 for the retail community," she said
Between the December 25 and January 14 sales period, NSW is expected to lead the charge with shoppers spending about $5.5 billion, followed by Victoria and Queensland at $4.5 and $3.6 billion respectively.
Over that period, a total of $17.6 billion will be spent on post-Christmas sales across all states.
As optimistic as the predictions are, it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
Retailer Myer's website appears to have crashed under the strain of the Boxing Day shopping rush, with visitors being greeted by a colourful sign declaring technical difficulties.
Myer on Thursday responded to complaints on social media network Twitter.
"Thanks for the feedback about our site - our team are currently working to get it back up & running ASAP. Very sorry for the inconvenience," Myer tweeted in response on Thursday.
Away from the virtual world, real-time shopaholics are "all systems go" according to Australian Retail Association executive director Russell Zimmerman.
"It's showing some very positive signs, everyone's enjoying themselves," Mr Zimmerman said from Sydney's Pitt Street Mall.
"I think the confidence is back. There's lots of people, but there's also lots of bags and that's obviously a positive sign."
For the first time in its 175-year history, David Jones started its Boxing Day sale on Christmas eve, offering online buyers first dibs.
Department stores Myer, Target and clothing and homewares brand Country Road were also among the stores that offered Boxing Day deals early to online shoppers.
Shopping centres opened their doors extra early on Boxing Day, with the David Jones stores in Sydney's CBD opening at 5am.
Westfield Sydney manager Trevor Hill said hundreds of shoppers were queued outside the centre's big department stores and luxury outlets when doors opened this morning.
He estimated about 400 people had rushed into Myer at 5am, with about 200 shoppers entering Gucci at 8am.
"The mood's very positive," Mr Hill added.

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