Bendigo Sportsfirst owners Sandy and Robyn Agnoletto have high hopes for the coming weeks and said the business had already shown early indications of strong Christmas trade period.

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In new data outlined in Deloitte's Retailers Christmas Survey 2021, showed retailers were more confident in the customer than at any previous point in the survey's 10-year history.

The study examined retailer attitude for the next Christmas season and revealed significant trends, expectations and objectives.

It revealed that 80 per cent of retailers predicted sales growth in 2021, a 20 per cent increase from 2020.

More than of half of the respondents also believed sales would bounce back rapidly after lockdowns, with nearly 90 per cent expecting trading conditions to improve over the next 12 months.

Ms Agnoletto said they have had many customers coming from surrounding towns and areas.

She said the early signs were incredibly promising.

"We are very optimistic that the Christmas trading period will be very close or better than previous years," she said.

Ms Agnoletto said many local businesses including her own, had been dealing with supply chain issues.

Deloitte's survey highlighted this and stated that 55 per cent of respondents were concerned about receiving sufficient stock for Christmas amid increasing supply chain issues, with 72 per cent highlighting shipping costs as having a material impact on their input expenses.

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Be.Bendigo interim chief executive Rob Stephenson said many people were keen to get out and about to spend locally this year.

"There are already lots of people in and around town... people are keen to get back to the shops and get organised for Christmas," he said.

"Our local businesses are there, they are open and they are excited to see people come back into them.

"Whether that is retail or hospitality venues, everyone is keen to see people back and out and about after a tough 18 months.

"It's all very exciting."

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Andrea Metcalf said council would be launching its Shop Local Christmas campaign soon.

She said it was important to get people thinking about shopping local once again.

"The Christmas trading period and the holiday season will be crucial for the region's recovery," Cr Metcalf said.

"Whether or not it's a gift or a gift voucher from local businesses, it's all about putting money into our local economy."

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Cr Metcalf said it was more important than ever to support local businesses.

"The message of shopping local will become even more important as we step out of COVID restrictions," she said.

"The businesses that have survived will how the opportunity to thrive now and it really does give local businesses the boost to move forward and be confident as well."

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