Sturt Mall's centre manager Kane Harding said the number of customers through the centre doors of the festive season was 4 per cent up on the same time in 2013.

"That's around 20,000 more customers," Mr Harding said.

He attributed the rise in customers to the opening of new stores and a stronger retail period nationally.

Mr Harding is looking forward to a big post Christmas period with 30,000 people expected to open their wallets on December 27.

The Good Guys store manager Daniel Kisela said it was "a bumper year" with 7,500 making purchases.

"(The items purchased) have been a bit mixed," Mr Kisela said, saying infomercial items like the Nutribullet were flying out the door.

"iPads are always popular and televisions have been really popular."

The store is opting for an in house only post-Christmas sale.

"We're creating that vibe that you have to line up at 8am again," Mr Kisela said.

"It will be big."

Harris Scarfe's manager Nathan Bromham said trade was good, with homewares proving to be popular.

"We're slightly busier than last year," he said.

"The most popular is homewares prior to Christmas," he said.

"Post Christmas it's all manchester."

Mr Bromham said stronger marketing had probably contributed to the increase in sales over the season.

Master's manager Jamie Wolf also noted an improvement on last year's sales with customers flocking to buy barbecues now summer was under way.

He said Master's hoped to shake up the hardware market with a host of great sales after Christmas.

Co-owner of Uneke's boutique gift store Louise Leahy said shoppers had proved to be last minute buyers this year.

"Last week they really started getting into it," Ms Leahy said.

"The Glasshouse candles, Palas jewellery are really popular, we have a good spread," she said.

The store will be open until Christmas Eve, with the store closed on Boxing Day.

"Boxing day is family time," Ms Leahy said.

While most families were busy buying presents, Melissa Graham was taking some time out, volunteering to wrap gifts in the Marketplace

People are asked to give a gold coin donation to have their gifts wrapped with proceeds going to charity.

"I do it because it reduces the stress of those who are under pressure and it's fun to see people smile," she said.

The Business Chamber were unable to comment because its data was not yet collated.