Wagga Boxing Day sales in demand but some retailers still facing a 'tough year'

Cafes on Baylis Street also did a bustling trade with the post-Christmas crowds.

The Hartnett family of Paul, Tanya, Kaileigh and Callum, from Wagga, visited main street traders to save money in the sales and cash in their gift cards.

"We came out looking for homewares, stuff from the Shaver Shop, and DVDs," Paul said.

There were plenty of Boxing Day sales signs waiting for shoppers, pledging discounts of up to 50 per cent on some items.

Toby Minter, from Tarcutta, made the trip into Wagga to pick up some belated Christmas presents.

"I've been to Dusk and the Reject Shop," he said.

"I'll be sticking around to visit Big W and Bunnings to see what they have."

However, a large number of people in the CBD on Boxing Day was no guarantee of significantly lifting sales for retail stores that had already struggled with a pre-Christmas period of hot days, hazardous air quality and a drought-affected economy.

S & D Living owner Shelia Reynolds said her Boxing Day sales numbers were down on last year and she had spoken to other traders who had a similar result.

"Boxing Day has not been great and its coming at the end of a tough year" she said.

"There have been a lot of people around but many of them are just browsing.

"I've spoken to others and it has been similar for them as well. If we get some rain, then we should see some big changes."