The traditional Boxing Day Sales came early today as rival brands tried to get a final boost to their annual takings.
Online sales began as early as lunchtime for Marks and Spencer, with John Lewis beginning at 17:00.
340,000 shoppers are predicted to have visited the Bullring shopping centre.
The General Manager, Tim Walley, said the timing of Christmas this year, which effectively added an extra weekend, should guarantee big takings.
The Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester city centre has said that yesterday was the busiest day before Christmas in three years, with almost 100,000 people walking through its doors.
On top of its footfall success, the shopping centre is also reporting a three per cent growth in 2012 against the buying trends of 2011 – with menswear, footwear and health & beauty proving to be good sellers.
Jo Tallack – the manager of the Highcross Shopping centre believes consumer confidence is returning following a double dip recession.
Yesterday was one of the busiest Saturdays of the year with 215,000 customers visiting The Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. 120,000 shoppers are expected today.
Shopping figures for Leicester's Highcross Shopping Centre:
Footfall yesterday was up 5% year-on-year.
Yesterday was the busiest day at the centre in the last few years.
Predictions of around 60,000 shoppers through the doors today.
Like-for-like sales up by 3%.
Top selling items across the centre include menswear, footwear and gifts & cards.
On one of the busiest weekends for shopping this year, ITV Central spoke to Professor John Bryson from Birmingham University and asked him why it's important people spend and shops make money over the next few days.
