A total of $1.3 billion is expected to be spent on Boxing Day itself, an almost 2 per cent increase on last year's spending figures, data from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) shows. For the six days following Christmas, it is expected shoppers will spend $3.7 billion across that period, which is 2.7 per cent more than last year.

Australians flocked to stores and queued up online on Thursday for an expected record-breaking year for Boxing Day sales.

Many retailers have launched early Boxing Day sales and major discounts are in full swing now it's Christmas Eve. If you are buying (late) presents over the next few days, be mindful of delivery times if shopping online – next-day delivery isn’t always guaranteed at this time of year, even with Amazon.

A stunning debut from a teenager on debut and some strong displays from the hosts' top-order saw Australia dominate the majority of the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

You can’t look past Myer for incredible deals and discounts, and their mega Boxing Day sale is one shopping event you don't want to miss.

Although it is predicted that £4.6billion will be spent in today's sales, this is a 2 per cent decrease compared to last year, according to analysis published by Barclays .

They are also predicted to splash out a further $2.4 billion during the last days of December, Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan research shows.