THE nation's leading retailers want to open whenever they like, except for key holidays, to counter spending by Australians through overseas websites.

Other than Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning, major retailers want to set their own operating hours to compete with 24/7 online shopping.

In a submission to the Productivity Commission, the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) has argued for immediate government intervention to "level the playing field" for its members, who include Harvey Norman, Bunnings, David Jones, Coles and Woolworths.

The submission warns "the wrong policy settings could result in the globalisation of the retail sector seriously threatening the viability of Australian retailers and the jobs of many Australians".

Retailers were accused of "crying poor" last year when they launched a campaign calling for a tax on goods bought on the internet from overseas businesses in line with the 10 per cent GST on goods bought in Australia.

The campaign angered many consumers, who felt it their right to find cheaper products on the internet after years of supporting big retail's profit margins.

Retail is a $240 billion a year sector that employs more Australians than any other industry.

ANRA has called for accelerated removal of customs duty on consumer goods and a review of taxes that "make them less competitive with overseas retailers".

It also called for a Retail Minister and a panel to directly advise the Government, similar to the mining industry.

ANRA chief executive Margy Osmond said that Australian retailers, despite cutting prices, "still struggle to compete in a global environment where they pay duties and taxes that online importers do not, they pay wages, rents, sick leave and other necessary benefits that overseas suppliers do not have to pay".

She said retailing "will still be here when the mining boom is behind us".