AFTER A slight slowdown on Sunday shoppers were back out in force yesterday, as retailers reported increased footfall on the third day of the post-Christmas sales.
With most sales under way since Saturday, the sector is reporting a positive turnout from consumers despite the grim economic prognosis for the coming year.
Although several retailers had offered pre-Christmas discounts to kickstart consumer spending, many are cutting prices further for the traditional sales season.
According to Don Nugent, director of Dundrum Town Centre, the centre has seen a 10 per cent increase in footfall compared to the same sales period last year.
"We opened on the 27th and had 90,000 people in, which was a 10 per cent increase on last year," he said. "The second day we had an increase of about 9.8 per cent, even though last year we were trading on a Friday, which was a longer day."
The numbers continued to hold up on the third day, with ladies wear, footwear and children's wear performing particularly well.
Peter Scott, retail operations director of Arnotts reported a similar upswing after a slight dip in footfall on Sunday. "It has definitely bounced back big time," he said.
"We should finish ahead of last year which is great. Compared to the third day of the sale last year, we'd be ahead. It may only be marginally ahead, but in the current climate we'd be delighted with that."
Clerys Department Store, which has been offering discounts of up to 70 per cent across womenswear and up to 50 per cent across menswear, is reporting a slight drop on last year's sales, but following stronger retail figures yesterday, an upswing is expected as the week continues.
"Overall sales have picked up as December has progressed and figures are only slightly down," said Clerys chief executive PJ Timmons, who having reported a quiet day on Sunday, was optimistic that things would pick up as the week progressed.
"Monday has been good and we anticipate that sales will be stronger this week."
With long queues reported in many of Dublin's larger retail outlets, shoppers were clearly undeterred by the gloomy financial predictions for the approaching new year and business was brisk in the city centre as shops advertised massive discounts for those still on the hunt for bargains.
Though footfall appears unaffected by the downturn, sales figures are as yet unavailable, with fears that heavy discounts and cautious consumers may have a serious impact on retail profits.
While it may not be the kind of cash cow retailers were hoping for, it's clear that consumers are still ready to spend, though perhaps with more discernment than in previous post-Christmas periods.
"People are certainly out shopping and looking for value out there," said Don Nugent, pointing out that tough trading conditions may even be working in shoppers' favour when it comes to prices. "It's very much a consumer's market."