By Anhar Khanbhai

Retailers plan to lure shoppers over Easter by offering huge discounts and sales in-store almost mimicking the Boxing Day frenzy Australians are accustomed to.

Promotions such as discounts of 60%, special hourly deals, one-day-only sales and two-for-one deals is what retailers are using to bring customers in-store as the industry struggles from tightened household spending.

NSW could soon see Boxing Day trading approved and retailers are now pushing for more trading hours over Easter, despite many retailers signing a petition to oppose the proposed Boxing Day trade laws.

Analyst data shows NSW businesses could make an extra $150 million if allowed to open longer.

Shoppers are expected to splurge $875.1 million over the four-day Easter break, up 5.3% from last year's spending.

But disappointing national sales figures released yesterday, which revealed a 0.1% drop in the Christmas spending month of December, showing a downward trajectory in retail spending.

Australian National Retailers Association CEO Margy Osmond said traders were trying to create a "buzz" around Easter.

"Clearly Easter is a big shopping period. It always has been for people who go away for the weekend," she said.

"In NSW it's not doing terribly well compared to resource-rich states like Queensland and Western Australia. Boxing Day sales are events now in their own right and there's a buzz around that shopping experience. It's about people's desire for experiences, and in a strange way, creating excitement around the shops and sales."

JB HI-FI kicked off its Easter sales bonanza yesterday, offering 15% off computers and two for one deal on kids DVDs.

Dick Smith started its Easter sale on March 28, with half-price Garmin GPS and 10% off Apple computers until April 9.

Target's "Moonlight Madness" sale starts tonight, starting a long weekend of hourly deals, in-store activities, giveaways and chances to win a $200 shopping spree.

Myer yesterday included a 24-page catalogue in major newspapers offering heavy discounts across its entire range, including online.