THOUSANDS of people pounded the aisles of retail stores in Cairns yesterday with one goal in mind bagging a Boxing Day bargain.

Shopping centres teemed with customers, most clutching bundles of bags packed with gadgets, clothes and homewares, or manoeuvring trolleys around racks of cut-priced goodies.

Traditionally the busiest shopping day in the country, yesterday's sales kicked off a three-week statewide spending spree expected to top $3 million, with the Australian Retailers Association predicting $14.8 billion will be spent nationally between Boxing Day and mid-January.

Myer Cairns store manager Donna Green said more than 50 people lined up in anticipation before the doors opened.

"You always get early shoppers, people who have planned their shopping, and this year we had people waiting at all of our doors," she said.

"I think the really good thing about stocktake sales is there are bargains all over the store, so you have people come in specifically for fashion and then you've got traditional shoppers who go for homewares and electronics, whether it be computing or electrical."

Angus & Coote manager Louise Hieatt said the jewellery store filled quickly yesterday with people keen to make a romantic gesture.

"We've sold a few engagement rings this morning, for guys who want to propose on New Year's Eve," she said. "Earrings are also really big."

White Rock dad Neil Humphris, who browsed gadgets with his children Sarah, 16, Peter, 14, and James, 12, said they traditionally spent lightly on Christmas to prepare for sales the following day.

"We always wait for the sales. We have a lean Christmas because we put our money into Boxing Day sales every year," he said.

"This year we're looking for computer games, Xbox games, books and maybe a computer."

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government is warning shoppers they shouldn't expect an automatic refund if they don't like what Santa bought them for Christmas.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said shops are only bound by law to give a refund or replacement if an item is faulty or unsuitable.

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