Retailers enjoyed one of their busiest days of the year yesterday as customers used the last weekend before Christmas to do their shopping.
In the UK, some major stores have been forced into discounting to increase sluggish pre-Christmas sales.
However, Irish shoppers seem to be proving more enthusiastic, with some Dublin city traders estimating yesterday that business this Christmas is up by as much as 8 per cent.
Retailers on the Luas line have received a boost from the new tram system, while other shops have been helped by the return of the DART weekend services.
The Square shopping centre in Tallaght reported "phenomenal business" yesterday and linked it with the Luas Red Line, which terminates at the centre. "It couldn't come any closer unless we brought it into the mall," said centre director Mr Éamonn Furlong.
"The Luas has made a tremendous difference and is bringing people from outside our catchment area. People from Clontarf and Malahide are getting the train to Connolly Station and the Luas out here."
At 4 p.m. yesterday, the Square's 11 ATM machines had already been refilled twice, and the centre was not closing until 7 p.m.
City centre retailers reported booming trade yesterday, with Clerys department store estimating that business was up by about 6 to 8 per cent on Christmas last year. In the new West and Gardner appliance store in Clerys, flat screen televisions, MP3s and the Creative Zen player were particularly in demand, according to Ms Liza Jones, general manager of sales and marketing.
On Grafton Street, Brown Thomas said it was in the middle of a very busy fortnight. A spokeswoman said: "The busiest departments are accessories and cosmetics, for gifting. Fashion is obviously doing very well for gifting and for the special pieces for parties and other occasions."
The Wilton Shopping Centre in Cork enjoyed its busiest Sunday of the year, according to centre manager Mr Ambrose Guilfoyle.
"Yesterday was busy but today is unbelievable. It's packed to capacity. We are looking forward to a bumper Christmas season," he said.
Fashion, jewellery, sports goods and toys generated the most business, he added.
Meanwhile, a new "clamping card" by the clamping company Dublin Street Parking Services has given some harassed shoppers an idea for a novel Christmas present.
The company, which recently took over from Control Plus, is now selling "scratch cards" in four city centre shops for €80. Customers can buy one of the cards and then telephone the number on it to be declamped.
The cards were introduced for people who want to pay in cash instead of by laser or credit card, but a customer service spokesman said there was nothing to stop someone buying the card as a gift.
The cards are available from Centra shops in the city centre.
