Aussies spend big on Xmas shopping

SYDNEY, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Christmas shoppers in Australia spent more than $30 billion buying presents before retail stores closed their doors Monday.

Some stores stayed open a full 24 hours to prevent chaos at the checkout counters in the frenzy of last-minute buying.

The Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association, Richard Evans, said domestic appliances like MP3 and DVD players as well as plasma screen televisions were among the most popular Christmas gifts.

Evans told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. people should be careful not to extend themselves too far on credit.

"While retailers love cash registers ringing long and loud, we are also cautious and want sustainability, " he said. "If people overspend and fund on their credit cards, that will impact on retailing -- the barometer of the economy -- around February, March and April next year."