Under previous laws, Boxing Day was a restricted shop trading day in NSW, meaning only exempt stores or those within certain local government areas or within the Sydney Trading Precinct were allowed to operate.

Business In Glen President Jim Ritchie said small businesses should be able to compete with large business and welcomed the law change.

“The law was unfair to businesses that are small or in regional areas so this will allow them to be able to compete with bigger businesses,” he said.

“It is good to see that all business that want to open will be able to compete.”

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the previous situation was unfair and inconsistent.

"The changes will allow local businesses to open and trade on Boxing Day should they wish to, when previously they were prohibited from doing so.

"While some areas of the state have always had Boxing Day trading, others, including our region, didn’t.

"The changes also offer important protections where no business or employee can be forced or required to trade or work on Boxing Day - it's simply about choice and giving every business across the state and employees the option of trading and working on Boxing Day should they wish."

National Retail Association NSW State Director Michael Lonie said regional retailers will no longer be at an unfair disadvantage to their city counterparts.

“For the first time, local retailers in all regional areas will, this year, see cash running through their tills on one of the most important days in the retail calendar, “he said.

“This new legislation benefits retailers and shoppers alike, with shoppers no longer having to scour for open shop doors, travel into the Sydney CBD or to a holiday area to grab a post-Christmas bargain.”

“We applaud the NSW Government on introducing law that is fair and consistent for both retailers and consumers.”