WA retailers are bracing for a less festive Christmas than the rest of the country, with spending predicted to buck the national trend and go backwards.

Retail leaders have urged West Australians to do their Christmas shopping locally to support the struggling retail sector.

Figures from the Australian Retailers Association show WA’s Christmas spend is expected to shrink by 0.5 per cent compared with spending last year, while all other States are tipped to enjoy growth of between 1.2 per cent and 5.2 per cent.

The ARA pre-Christmas sales predictions are compiled in partnership with Roy Morgan Research and focus on a 46-day Christmas trading period from November 9 to December 24.

The national Christmas spend at retail stores is forecast to increase 2.9 per cent to more than $51 billion.

ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said it was no secret that WA retailers were enduring difficult trading conditions, partly because of the impacts of a depressed housing market on consumer confidence and household spending.

“We strongly encourage WA consumers to get out and about with their families and enjoy their local shopping strips and centres in the lead-up to Christmas to support the local industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Of course, some consumers may prefer to buy online with the range and convenience on offer, so if that is the preference we encourage those shoppers to look local rather than spending on overseas platforms.”

Mr Zimmerman said there were some positive signs for WA, including year-on-year retail spending increases for September (0.29 per cent) and October (0.63 per cent). Predictions of a new mining boom were also boosting business confidence.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Chris Rodwell said the State Government had added to the pain for WA retailers by scaling back extended Christmas trading hours. Early weekday trading will start on December 17. Last year, 7am trading started on December 5. Overall, extended Christmas trading has been cut 30 per cent, from 49 to 34 hours.

Mr Rodwell said Patterson Research Group polling showed almost three-quarters of West Australians disagreed with the Government’s decision.

More than three-quarters of younger West Australians said it would boost online sales at the expense of local retailers.

“Unfortunately, West Australians won’t be able to buy local as easily as last year because of the State Government’s decision to reduce the usual extended shopping hours this Christmas,” Mr Rodwell said.

“Retail trade in WA has been flat for three years and unemployment among retail workers is higher than any other sector. The State Government should be using every tool at their disposal to support these businesses to create new jobs, not forcing them to shut their doors, which is pushing shoppers online.”

Mr Rodwell said the latest WA Super-CCI Business Confidence Survey showed business confidence was at its highest level since March 2013. But the confidence had not flowed through to the retail sector, with 86 per cent of retailers expecting economic conditions to stay the same or worsen next year.