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'Steady' trading on Christmas Eve 'Steady' trading on Christmas Eve
(about 15 hours later)
Retailers have reported "steady" trade as customers pick up their last-minute shopping ahead of Christmas. Retailers reported "steady" trade as customers picked up last-minute shopping ahead of Christmas.
Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, one of Europe's largest, said the day had started slowly but got much busier.Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, one of Europe's largest, said the day had started slowly but got much busier.
Supermarket chain Asda said it was selling nine Christmas puddings a minute and rival Sainsbury's said it was also "very busy".Supermarket chain Asda said it was selling nine Christmas puddings a minute and rival Sainsbury's said it was also "very busy".
But customer counting organisation Footfall showed numbers in the build-up to Christmas were down 8-10% on 2005.But customer counting organisation Footfall showed numbers in the build-up to Christmas were down 8-10% on 2005.
Meanwhile, Scots are on target to spend £2.4bn this Christmas, retailers said.Meanwhile, Scots are on target to spend £2.4bn this Christmas, retailers said.
It seems to be a real spread of lots of wrapping paper and lots of Marks and Spencer's bags Bluewater shopping centreIt seems to be a real spread of lots of wrapping paper and lots of Marks and Spencer's bags Bluewater shopping centre
A spokeswoman from Bluewater shopping centre said: "It seems to be a real spread of lots of wrapping paper and lots of Marks and Spencer's bags.A spokeswoman from Bluewater shopping centre said: "It seems to be a real spread of lots of wrapping paper and lots of Marks and Spencer's bags.
"I would say it's steady.""I would say it's steady."
A Tesco spokeswoman said sales had picked up after a slow start to December.A Tesco spokeswoman said sales had picked up after a slow start to December.
"It's very, very busy," an Asda spokeswoman said."It's very, very busy," an Asda spokeswoman said.
Sainsbury's said it was also "very busy" but that the supermarket's "best day" had been Saturday.Sainsbury's said it was also "very busy" but that the supermarket's "best day" had been Saturday.
It was expecting to have sold 193,000 cases of turkey - each containing four or five birds - and 4,000 packets of mince pies in every branch over last two weeks.It was expecting to have sold 193,000 cases of turkey - each containing four or five birds - and 4,000 packets of mince pies in every branch over last two weeks.
'Browsing time''Browsing time'
On Saturday, some supermarket giants defended their decision to allow Christmas Eve customers in half an hour early to "browse" despite Sunday trading restrictions, after they were criticised by religious bodies.On Saturday, some supermarket giants defended their decision to allow Christmas Eve customers in half an hour early to "browse" despite Sunday trading restrictions, after they were criticised by religious bodies.
Large supermarkets and high street stores are able to trade for only a maximum of six hours in England and Wales - from 1300 to 1800 in Northern Ireland - because of Sunday trading restrictions.Large supermarkets and high street stores are able to trade for only a maximum of six hours in England and Wales - from 1300 to 1800 in Northern Ireland - because of Sunday trading restrictions.
The restrictions do not extend to Scotland, where Sunday trading has been legal for many years.The restrictions do not extend to Scotland, where Sunday trading has been legal for many years.
According to BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury, shopping in the West End of London on Saturday was quieter than expected.According to BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury, shopping in the West End of London on Saturday was quieter than expected.