For some shoppers, Christmas Day is just a breather.

Nineteen percent of consumers surveyed by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs said they will hit the stores again Sunday to shop or return gifts.

Eighteen percent of men and 19 percent of women planned to hit the stores Sunday, while 24 percent of households with children expected to indulge in post-Christmas shopping, the survey found.

Gift cards likely will spur more consumers to shop after the holidays, said Gordon Gough, executive vice president of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.

“You get a lot of sales that occur after the holidays that are generated by the gift cards that were sold before the holidays,” he said.

While some retailers keep shorter hours on Sundays, those that do likely will make an exception this week, Gough said.

For example, the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek will open at 9 a.m. while Dayton Mall will open at 8 a.m. The malls usually open at noon on Sundays. They will close at 6 p.m.

Area Meijer stores will open 6 a.m. Sunday.

Consumers have spent more on gifts and related holiday items this year than initially anticipated, a trend analysts chalk up to optimism about the economy and more aggressive promotions.

The National Retail Federation brightened its outlook for the season, projecting sales will increase 3.3 percent over last year. Initially, the trade organization had expected sales would climb 2.3 percent.

Holiday spending makes up a big chunk of total retail sales — about 18 percent in 2009, the federation says.

ShopperTrack projects retail spending will increase 4 percent for the holiday season. Last year, it fell 0.4 percent. Any gains over 4 percent are considered healthy.