YORK city centre retailers have reported a record Christmas rush this year with perfumes, electrical appliances and DVDs among the most popular presents.
"There has been a dramatic increase in the number of shoppers this year compared to last year's figures," said Boots Coney Street store team manager Richard Horsewood.
"The Christmas rush has been very busy. Biggest sales have been in fine fragrances and electrical beauty goods departments."
Book store Borders also reported big crowds, with DVDs and mini trivia guide Shott's Original Miscellany, by Ben Shott, popular with shoppers.
"We've been extremely busy," said store manager Andy Danson.
Smaller independent stores have also enjoyed good trading in the run-up to Christmas, among them art and jewellery shop Pyramid Gallery on Stonegate.
"It's been as busy as last year with strong sales in art, glass work and jewellery," said Rebecca Cox.
"Normally it's the men who come in last minute to buy, otherwise known as MIPs - men in panic!"
Nationally, retailers were hoping for a late spending spree before Christmas after new figures showed a slump in the number of shoppers last week.
Visitors to shopping centres across the country were down 7.2 per cent on the same week last year and the lowest since analysts FootFall began collecting data in 2000.
Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, December 24, 2002
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