Analysis of debit and credit card transactions by NAB and data analytics firm Quantium reveals that Generation X spent an average $1133 every month at the shops this year – 33 per cent more than the average Australian who spent close to $850.

Baby Boomers recorded an average retail spend of $1016 per month, while Generation Y spent slightly less than the average at $828.

Over the year to November 2012, the largest levels of spending per person were recorded among Generation X and Baby Boomers, with higher levels of income among these age groups likely to be a key factor in these results.

And on a state-by-state basis, non-cash retail spending per person was highest in ACT and WA, while Victoria, SA and Tasmania spent the least per person over the year.

NAB Executive General Manager Retail, Vicki Carter says she expects Christmas Eve to be the busiest shopping day of the Christmas period.