Shoppers seek Boxing Day bargains across the country

Australians have hit the malls and shopping centres to take advantage of post-Christmas sales. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)

Cash registers have rung hot as thousands of Australians braved the shops on Boxing Day to snap up a bargain after a year compounded by a cost-of-living crisis.

Retail experts said it wasn't in spite of cost-of-living pressure that people planned to spend big on Boxing Day, but because of it.