CHRISTMAS SHOPPING sales are up 11.5 per cent on last year, with strong spending expected to continue despite fears of job loss and collapsing pensions, according to the Dublin City Business Association (DCBA).
Tom Coffey, DCBA chief executive, said that while people were slow to part with their money, the city was performing reasonably well.
While the holy day yesterday gave parents a chance to shop with their children, increasing the volumes of people shopping, the traditional shopping day of December 8th has disappeared, he said.
Pat Fitzgerald, operations manager for Blanchardstown Shopping Centre said the recession was not affecting sales, with shopping yesterday up 2 to 3 per cent on the same day last year.
"There is no doubt the December 8th shopping phenomenon still exists, yesterday was a much busier day for us than other days, our 7,000 parking spaces were full before 2.30pm".
Brown Thomas in Dublin, was also thriving yesterday, with strong demand for perfumes, make-up and gift sets. A spokesperson said "The store has steadily been getting busier since the beginning of the month as we approach Christmas and trade was brisk today".
Aebhric McGibney, a policy director with Dublin Chamber of Commerce said while December 8th was traditionally a big shopping day with people coming up from the country and a holy day for schools, the tradition no longer existed.
"The tradition has fallen by the wayside as the retail experience has changed, with shops opening late at night and at weekends, people can now shop at a time that suits them".