RETAILERS were remaining hopeful this week they would see a surge of last-minute Christmas shoppers despite the gloom of reduced footfall and major discounting.

The streets of Glasgow city centre were markedly quieter than would be expected yesterday, with just six shopping days to go until the big day.

One Marks & Spencer employee said mid-afternoon that the food section of the Sauchiehall Street store had been "absolutely dead".

However, although customers are shopping less frequently this year, some anecdotal evidence suggests they are spending more per visit and some retailers said the "dwell time" per trip has increased on last year.

Store owners said this year's Christmas shoppers were expecting retailers to work a lot harder, with many now expecting goods to be discounted.

A number of shopping malls reported a surge in gift voucher sales, with some taking on extra staff to cope with demand, which retailers said could be good news for New Year footfall.

They said the increase could be reflective of the economic climate with customers on tighter budgets spending more wisely.

Sales in women's wear are down on last year but non-fashion items including mobile phones, menswear and children's wear are holding steady.

At the weekend on the day called "Panic Saturday" more than 11 million people were expected to spend more than £1 billion at £1.5 million a minute.

Many stores have cut prices by up to 70% in a bid to lure shoppers into high streets and malls. The discounts in Scotland equate to roughly £9m.

Debenhams, Gap, Marks & Spencer, Argos and Currys were all offering items at half price on Saturday.

At the Silverburn centre in Glasgow footfall is down by 1% on last year. The centre was expecting to see around 55,000 shoppers yesterday.

Centre manager David Pierotti said: "It's a bit mixed. In real terms it's flat on last year. On Saturday it was very apparent customers are asking retailers to work a lot harder. They are checking for discounts.

"Our peak day last year was December 23 when we saw record figures of 85,000 customers.

"If we can bring in that amount or thereabouts, I would be quite happy. Customers are spending more when they come out but are coming out less often. However they are spending more time here. The dwell time has risen from 87 minutes to 92 this year."

The dry spell boosted weekend trade at the European market in St Enoch's square in Glasgow. The market was forced to close for two days because of the high winds.

Sebastian Tokarski, 30, who runs the French patisserie stall, said: "We are just praying the snow and ice stays away. It's fine in the city centre but keeps people from the outlying areas away."

Jackie Cuddy, centre manager of the Eastgate Centre in Inverness said weekend sales were on a par with last year.

She said: "I think a lot of people are leaving it to the last minute as they have an extra day to shop this year."

Peter Beagley, general manager of Braehead shopping centre, outside Glasgow, said yesterday's sales had been encouraging, with many waiting outside stores before 9am.

He said: "From then on, shoppers never stopped coming through our doors.

"Our car parks very quickly filled up and buses coming in and out of Braehead were also packed with shoppers.

"One thing that is noticeable this year is that more people than ever are giving gift cards as Christmas presents."