Shopping this festive season was ''all systems go'' as a flurry of buyers joined the throng in the countdown before Christmas Day.

Retailers are expecting more than 1.5 billion transactions across Monday and Tuesday, as the focus shifts from Christmas presents to food, Australian National Retailers Association's chief executive Margy Osmond said.

Economists have also welcomed a more positive Christmas period for retailers.

''I think it's probably going to be a better Christmas than in prior years,'' CommSec economist Savanth Sebastian said.

''If you look at consumer confidence, it is holding at pretty healthy levels now, we are seeing the rally in the sharemarket and house price gains adding to the 'wealth effect' story, and I think that seems to suggest that retail activity should lift,'' he said.

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said perfumes, cosmetics and aftershaves were the best selling retail items in the final days before Christmas.

''They're quick gifts that you can put into the stocking,'' he said.

A Myer spokeswoman said cosmetics and perfumes had been the biggest sellers across its 67 stores, while the biggest selling brands among toys were Furby Boom, Disney Planes Tilt & Fly and the Barbie digital dress doll.