Retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said new research released today in the Deloitte ARA Christmas Retail Survey showed almost 68 per cent of consumers are planning to spend the same or more during the Christmas season compared to last year.

ñDespite an overly negative outlook on the economy at large, shoppers are still ready to open their wallets this Christmas with over 55 per cent planning to spend the same amount of money as last year on Christmas gifts and over 12 per cent planning to spend more. Over one third of respondents said they were going to spend between $250 and $500 on Christmas presents and another third plan to spend up to $1000 on gifts for friends and family.î

Retailers are optimistic about solid sales for the holiday season, said Evans, although growth may not match last yearÍs strong Christmas trade with 15.4 per cent of consumers planning to wait for the post-Christmas sales.

ñThe good news is Santa has come early for savvy shoppers this year with 43 per cent retailers offering generous pre-Christmas sales this year,î Evans said, citing figures from the ARA Christmas Retail Expectation Survey.