Retailers piling on discounts as Amazon’s arrival looms

It's already beginning to look like Christmas at Australia's shopping centres, with major retailers rolling out discounts to lure shoppers through the doors.

Mid-season sales kicked off across the country today, with the retail space increasingly competitive, prices are lower and stocks are higher.

Finance expert Sam Henderson said major retailers were already looking ahead to the arrival of Amazon in Australia - expected before Christmas.

"I think online retailers have much lower overheads so they do tend to be much more competitive and some of the bonuses they're offering now include free delivery or free exchange and postage and that really saves the consumer a lot of time," he said.

Among the discounts being offered are 50 percent off fashion and shoes at David Jones, which has also cut prices in homewares.

Fashion is also on the discount block at Country Road, Forever New, Seed Heritage and Sussan.

For tech-heads and gadget hunters, tech expert and podcaster Trevor Long commended Harvey Norman's laptop range as having "something for everybody", with many under $1000.

Ikea furniture is also on sale - and has further discounts to come at the end of the month.

Watch the program again at A Current Affair.