Sydney shopping districts will be allowed to trade 24 hours a day in the lead up to Christmas.
From today, selected retailers and shopping centres can extend trading hours without requiring specific planning approval.
Eligible districts include Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Bondi Junction, Penrith, Blacktown, and Liverpool.
The move follows an extension of trading hours in Melbourne.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) executive director Russell Zimmerman supports the latest initiative.
"This is a first for NSW and a great opportunity for retailers.
"The ARA would like to thank Minister for Planning Pru Goward and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro for supporting this initiative which will no doubt give local retailers a much-needed boost during the crucial shopping season.
"This move should help NSW in continuing to be the growth engine for the Australian economy while other states are going through structural adjustments.
"With only 14 days until Christmas, we’re confident that this move will also support the ARA’s predicted pre-Christmas sales figure of $45 billion to go through retail tills before 24 December 2014.
"The ARA now calls on state Labor and the NSW Upper House independents to support the government and allow Boxing Day trade for all retailers who want to open - not just the current restricted areas which kill trade for small and large businesses on the busiest trading day of the year.
"This move should help NSW in continuing to be the growth engine for the Australian economy while other states are going through structural adjustments."