Irish retailers are hoping to redeem what has been described as a "very damaging month" with bumper January sales kicking off as early as today.

Figures show a 33% drop in sales this December compared to last year, but Torlach Denihan, director of Retail Ireland, said retailers were "cautiously optimistic" about the post-Christmas sales, despite losses of €250m from the tills this month due to the arctic weather conditions.

"While retailers may be optimistic that consumers will come out in force for the early sales, there is still no getting away from the fact that December was a very damaging month. Starting sales [as] early as St Stephen's Day will give the retailers a welcome boost, but what will also help is the fact that people will have cabin fever by the time the sales come around, and they will make the effort to get out and get some bargains."

Both the Dundrum Town Centre and Brown Thomas will this year open their doors on St Stephen's Day in a bid to increase footfall.

Denihan urged local authorities to continue to clear main shopping thoroughfares of remaining snow and ice to enable shoppers to take advantage of the sales.

"The government and local authorities must play their part now and ensure consumers can make it to these retail outlets by making sure the routes are all passable.

"It is now vitally important if retailers are to claw back anything from the €250m loss.

"More and more shoppers are having to stay and shop locally – literally within walking distance – and this has had a very serious effect in spending in central shopping areas to date."

Denihan said that while consumer spending has continued to fall year on year, 2010 has seen a positive gradual improvement on month-on-month sales.

Christmas sales have come early... early sale opening times across the country

Dublin sales

Dundrum Town Centre: Starts St Stephen's Day, at stores such as House of Fraser, Zara and Harvey Nichols, Game and Office. Centre opens 10am to 6pm

Avoca: Dublin, Kilmacanogue, Powerscourt, Rathcoole, Molls Gap and Bunratty. Starts 10am, St Stephen's Day; up to 60% off

Pamela Scott: Swords Pavilion shopping centre; starts 9.30am, 27 December

Marks & Spencer: Grafton Street sale starts 8am, 27 December, with an online sale also

Next: Grafton Street store; starts 5am, 27 December

Clerys: Starts 10am, St Stephen's Day

Arnotts: Starts 9.30am, St Stephen's Day

Debenhams: Henry Street store; starts 11am, St Stephen's Day; up to 70% off selected lines

Urban Outfitters: Starts 12pm, St Stephen's Day; up to over 50% off online purchases

Brown Thomas: Starts 9am, St Stephen's Day

A Wear: Grafton Street; began this week, with 50% off clothes and accessories. Store is open 11am, St Stephen's Day

Topshop: Starts 11am, St Stephen's Day, at selected stores; up to 50% off autumn-winter collections

Blanchardstown shopping centre: Opens 9am, St Stephen's Day

Jervis shopping centre: Opens 11am, St Stephen's Day, with stores such as Forever 21 and PC World offering discounts

Galway sales

Brown Thomas: Starts 10am, St Stephen's Day

Marks & Spencer: Corrib Centre; starts 9am, 27 December

Galway shopping centre: Opens 9am, 27 December; discounts in selected stores such as Dorothy Perkins and Wallis

Anthony Ryans: Starts 11am, 27 December; up to 50% off homeware and fashion

Kilkenny: Sale began this week, but the store reopens 10am, 27 December

Waterford sales

City Square shopping centre: Opens 9am, 27 December, with stores such as Barratts, Wallace and Golden Discs offering discounts

Limerick sales

Brown Thomas: Starts 10am, St Stephen's Day

Debhenhams: Starts 11.30am, St Stephen's Day

Penneys: Starts St Stephen's Day

Crescent shopping centre: Opens 27 December, with sales in stores across the centre

Cork sales

Brown Thomas: Starts 9am, St Stephen's Day

Zara: Mahon Point Shopping Centre; starts 12pm, St Stephen's Day

Next: Mahon Point shopping centre, starts 5am, 27 December

Debenhams: Starts 12am, St Stephen's Day; up to 70% off selected lines

Kilkenny: Store reopens 10am, 27 December