A retail analyst says a flurry of pre-Christmas sales may leave retailers with a promotional hangover this year.
Sales updates made by many of the listed retailers recent months have talked of a limited pickup in consumer spending, with much of it being driven by discounting.
Many say full year earnings will be depending on trade over critical Christmas and New Year period.
Coriolis Research managing director Tim Morris says the associated increase in promotional activity could be good news for shoppers in the leadup to Christmas, but even more so afterwards.
Mr Morris says despite the pre-Christmas discounting, the sales are still likely to be better afterwards.
A clearer picture of how the retail sector is faring should emerge on Thursday, when electronic card transaction data for November is released.
