Retail Excellence Ireland has said that it expects that shoppers will spend in excess of €230m today and tomorrow, which will be ahead of what was spent last year.
REI Deputy Chief Executive Sean Murphy says items like winter clothing that were delayed due to milder weather are likely to be in demand.
Many of the major department stores and shopping centres around the country were open today.
Shops hope to entice shoppers who may have postponed this year's spending sprees until the sales kick off.
Bargain hunters formed queues outside some stores from early this morning.
Many larger stores opened their doors at 9am, while some retail outlets like Next opened as early as 6am.
