According to the Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman, the state was seeing a significant increase in spending this year – coming second only to New South Wales, with a 5.9 per cent increase in trade year on year.

Nationally, Australians are expected to spend $45 billion over this period, up 4.3 per cent on 2013 figures.

‘‘It’s probably fair to say most retailers are experiencing very strong retail trade,’’ Mr Zimmerman said.

‘‘As we get closer to the day, it will be less about gifts and more about fresh food but there are a lot of people who are shift workers, or won’t finish up until Christmas Eve, who will be doing the shopping.’’

Nationally Mr Zimmerman said technology, food, men’s polos and women’s handbags were the big sellers at the moment, and the popularity of gift cards was going from strength to strength each year.

Myer Launceston store manager Michael McInerney said trade had been very busy over the past weekend and it was expected to be the same for the last couple days of shopping.

‘‘It’s really picked up now and we’ve seen a bit of panic shopping,’’ Mr McInerney said.

He said more men had been going through the store in recent days, with fragrance packs and gift cards the big sellers.

He said the popular gift items for women have been the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum and for men the Bose SoundLink Mini speaker.