Booming Boxing Day has stores hoping for prosperous new year A BETTER than expected start to the annual Boxing Day sales could kick-start a strong 2014 for Australia's retail sector, with sales forecasts tipped to be exceeded. Russell Zimmerman, the head of the Australian Retailers Association, outlined yesterday that the peak retail industry body's forecast of $15.1 billion to be spent across the nation in post-Christmas sales could be surpassed after yesterday's booming start to the annual shopping spree.