Deloitte Access Economics recently released their latest Retail Survey saying that the Australian retail sector can expect a bump in sales in the pre-Christmas period. This is encouraging but it was more about the confidence of surviving it rather than walking away with a bonanza.

"Retailers expect a rise in overall sales but for margins to remain flat," said David Rumbens, a partner in Deloitte Access Economics.

Importantly it reports that Australian retailers have continued to improve their online presence in the 2013 year and that this, combined with the lower Australian dollars leaves them in a better position to compete.

"Australia`s retail sector is likely to end 2013 in better shape than was seen during the middle of the year. But it still may be Christmas 2014 that brings a smile to retailers? faces, rather than this year," he said.

Deloitte`s Christmas Retailers Survey shows that the Northern Territory and Queensland currently lead the way with the strongest retail growth over the past year, supported by major resources construction projects which still have some time to completion.

However, retail growth out of Western Australia is slipping with its relatively greater exposure to minerals rather than gas projects, as mining companies try to reduce costs fast. NSW retail has performed better than the national average as surging house prices have some spill-over to more retail spending.

"Low interest rates are assisting across the board with all jurisdictions (including Tasmania) enjoying positive retail growth over the past year. While a slowdown in resources project construction over the next few years will hurt, WA and Queensland should still see the strongest average retail growth over time, supported by better rates of population growth," Rumbens said.