One of them is RB Sellars' Liz Cronin, who has already begun ordering in Christmas shirts for the families who come in every year to get matching outfits ahead of Christmas Day.

Ms Cronin said last year's bushfires had made for a tough retail season across the board, and that this year's Christmas period was also looking unlike any other due to COVID-19.

However, Ms Cronin said sales were starting to pick up again, especially in the bricks and mortar side of the business.

"We have a huge online offering, but we still find people prefer to come in and touch and feel and try on the clothes rather than purchasing online," Ms Cronin said.

"There's definitely a market for both, but our customers prefer the personal touch."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Wagga Business Chamber president Rhyley Hunter said he was urging shoppers to keep their present-buying sprees to the region's confines this year.

Mr Hunter said it had been trying time for Wagga's shopkeepers, and that shoppers could help spread the Christmas cheer by supporting them either in-store or online.

"We definitely encourage people to get out there and support brick and mortar businesses, but a lot of shops have taken their business online and as long as you buy locally you're supporting them," Mr Hunter said.

"If you're still worried about coming out and about and you want to get the online deliveries that's fine, but we're definitely encouraging people not to go to the big chains and to support local businesses."

Mr Hunter said businesses were all hoping for the Victorian border to open by Christmas, saying that an influx of visitors to the regions was just what retailers needed to bolster their sales.

Chamber business manager Serena Hardwick said the chamber was also in talks with Wagga City Council and the government to cut red tape for businesses to help them recover from a brutal year.

The chamber is currently lobbying to remove the $55 per square metre fee for outdoor shop displays and to relax licensing laws to allow pubs and restaurants to serve more food and drinks outside on the streets.

Ms Hardwick said that was needed to bring more customers out onto the main street and into the shops this Christmas season.

"It's about the atmosphere," Ms Hardwick said.

"We can have that city atmosphere, but we need to make it easier for businesses to do that, and that's what we're working as a chamber to advocate for."