In fact the post-Christmas drop-off was so sharp that Damon Townsend of the Royal Hotel had the pub shut and the glasses washed up by 10.30pm on New Year's Eve, due to a practically deserted town.

However retailers experienced some good trade immediately prior to Christmas Day, although Steve Stavreas, owner of Dimitries Jewellers, said consumer behaviour was becoming more difficult to predict each year.

While he felt retailers and customers were cautious coming into the Christmas period, it was evident business had picked up by mid-December.

"We found customers left it very late in 2014. I think people were suffering from a lack of confidence. However, towards the middle of December they realised they didn't have much time left," he said.

"Christmas Eve was frantic. The interesting thing is that trade on Christmas Eve extended, which I think is an indication that people left things too late. The intensity of the trade stayed longer, normally around 2pm it peters off but right up until closing time we were busy."

Mr Stavreas has stores located in Queanbeyan, Woden Westfield and Tuggeranong. He said the Queanbeyan store was the best performing of the three and figures were up on the previous year.

Queanbeyan Riverside Plaza centre manager Virgina Dobos said retailer feedback had indicated strong trade as well.

"Riverside Plaza achieved positive results over Christmas, with retailers reporting a very productive and busy period," she said.

"Overall, Riverside Plaza Shopping Centre had a very busy and prosperous Christmas thanks to the support we received from our local community."

However, as most retailers anticipated, business began to drop off after Christmas as locals headed to the coast to enjoy the sun and sand.

Mr Townsend said traditionally it is quieter around town after the festive celebrations and this year proved no different.

"A lot of our clientele goes to the coast. We're a family orientated pub so a lot of people go away...," he said.

"Christmas Eve, we had a few people out for dinner. Normally, traditionally over the last couple of years we see a few in for Boxing Day but it wasn't busy at all from a trade point of view. On New Year's Eve we were shut by half-10 ... people either go to the coast, Sydney or into Canberra.

"I took a photo at Boxing Day at 2pm and New Year's Eve about the same time and you could've driven a truck down either side of Monaro Street, it was that quiet.

"So there wasn't a lot of traffic, no foot traffic, there wasn't much happening at all. That's been the flow of things for last three years since we've been trading."

Trade at Lindbeck's Butchery bucked the trend with owner Peter Lindbeck almost unable to keep up demand in the five days before New Year's Eve.

"We were just flat-out between that time," he said. "A lot of people do go to the coast but we think many decided to stay local and entertain at home. It was much busier and that's not the norm."

Mr Lindbeck said it had been a little quiet at the start of January but expected things to pick up ahead of the Australia Day celebrations later in the month.

However, Mr Lindbeck anticipated that overall it would be a tough year for local retailers.

"Queanbeyan's main street is looking a bit sad and tired. It's going to be a tough year whether you're in the retail trade, selling socks, undies, hats or meat. It's a tough time," he said.

"It's tough in the meat industry right now, from Tasmania up to Darwin, which is usually an indicator the economy is about to take a dive."

Mr Stavreas was more optimistic. He said there was a trend of engagements and anniversaries In January and February and another boost at Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

"There's a slight sense of buoyancy, that lack of confidence is dissipating," he said.

"People are starting to feel more normal. The last 12 months were very difficult."