From tomorrow, extended retail trading hours for the Christmas period will begin, giving Perth shoppers an extra 51 hours to find gifts for family and friends.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said major retailers could open as early as 7am on weekdays and Saturdays, 8am on Sunday and close later at 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mr Mischin said he had also approved an extension to trading hours to allow City of Perth traders to open from 6pm to 9pm tomorrow evening to coincide with the annual Christmas Pageant.

"The extended trading for December will provide greater convenience, choice and flexibility for Perth consumers when doing their pre and post-Christmas shopping this year, and is in line with the State Government's commitment to gradually ease restrictions," he said.

The Minister reminded shoppers to exercise their consumer rights, especially if the gifts they bought needed to be returned.

"Consumers are entitled to a refund, replacement or repair if the product they buy is faulty, unsafe or not as described," Mr Mischin said.

"There are strong laws in place to protect consumers and give them a guarantee that the products they buy from Australian-based retailers, including those trading online, are free from defects, fit for their intended purpose and match the description in any advertising.

"However, if consumers want to return a gift because it's the wrong size, they don't like the style or colour or just want to exchange it for another gift they prefer, then the returns policy will differ from store to store and are completely at the retailer's discretion.

"If you receive a gift card, make sure you take note of the terms and conditions and the expiry date, or redeem it as soon as possible, as it's estimated Australian retailers make $300 million from unclaimed gift vouchers each year which the consumer is better off spending."

Fact File

Consumer information is available at your fingertips by downloading Consumer Protection's app, iShopWA, from the App Store or Google Play.  Receipts for gift purchases can be stored and reminders of gift card expiry dates can be set

For more information on trading hours, visit  http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/tradinghours  

For more information on consumer rights, visit http://www.consumerlaw.gov.au  

Shopping complaints can be made to Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or by emailing consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5600