The recession was a distant memory as Leicester enjoyed its busiest shopping weekend of the year.
The Highcross welcomed about 90,000 shoppers on Saturday and similar numbers on Sunday - up 12 per cent on last year.
And Fenwick enjoyed its busiest Sunday ever yesterday, with Christmas trade overall up 5.5 per cent on last year.
Despite the crowds, the shoppers were also happy with plenty of pre-Christmas bargains.
Jo Tallack, general manager for Highcross, said: "Customers have been coming in with their lists for Christmas shopping, realising it's only a few days until Christmas, and it's been a very busy weekend.
"We had 90,000 visitors on Saturday and on Sunday we opened our doors early and it was bursting all day.
"It's been better than last year, which was what we were expecting.
"There seemed to be a lot of gentlemen shoppers yesterday and people buying perfume, jewellery and wrapping paper.
"Everyone has lots of shopping bags."
Fenwick director David Illingworth said some of the biggest sellers were the department store's new watch department.
He said: "It's been the best Sunday ever for us and it was certainly the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
"We were a little concerned after all the shopping that was going on with Black Friday but the last three days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - have all been super.
"I think a lot of people are worried things they buy online won't arrive until January now so they're doing some last-minute shopping."
Jo Purtill of Pomponette in Carts Lane was also pleased with pre-Christmas trade.
"Saturday was really busy," she said.
"It's been a very good season generally and it started off early in November.
"Customers have been buying lots of tablewear, Christmas decorations and things to make their homes look spectacular, but also quite a lot of furniture, too."
Claire Cassidy, who works at Jellyrolls Kidswear, said: "High Street has been looking really busy all weekend and we've had lots of people coming in to buy gifts and Christmas outfits for their children."
Shopper Rachael Fratczak, 47, of Oadby, visited the city centre on Sunday.
She said: "I got in early at about 11am to try to beat the rush and it was nice and quiet then but it got really busy later on.
"I've seen some really good bargains, too."
Surinder Singh, 74, of Oadby, was picking up a few bargains in Marks & Spencer.
He said: "There are lots of things at 50 per cent off so I've been buying things for myself, mostly!
"It's very busy and nothing like a normal Sunday. And everyone seems happy and they all have lots of shopping bags."
