City centres around Britain have been busy as shoppers rushed to buy last-minute Christmas presents and food for the festive season.

Many shops experienced a fall in sales earlier this month, but retailers said trade picked up dramatically on Saturday.

The banks are predicting a record level of cash withdrawals in the run-up to Christmas with £8.5bn expected to be withdrawn from hole-in-the-wall machines.

Banks expect £8.5bn will be withdrawn for Christmas shopping

The debit card company, Switch, said early research had shown adults were planning to spend around £710 each on Christmas this year.

Switch's Head of Marketing, Nigel Turner, said there was a lot of money waiting to be spent this weekend.

"Even if shoppers have been late getting started this year, all the signs are that they'll certainly be making up for lost time during the final weekend," he said.

But that is not enough for this nation of shopkeepers. After five interest rate rises since May - designed to slow down high-street spending - they have been complaining that customers have just been window-shopping.

Ann Grain of the British Retail Consortium said: "People aren't spending the sort of money you'd expect. There might be a last-minute rush but you can't make up in five days for the flatness of the rest of the month.

"It has been a poor December."

Some supermarkets are staying open 24 hours a day

December is a crucial time for many, and on the high street, the battle is on to make up for the slow start to Christmas.

The stores are fighting hard for custom - some sales have started early and many supermarkets are now open 24 hours a day.

With just a few shopping days left till Christmas, the retail trade will be hoping that Britons shop till they drop.
 

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