Last weekend 'biggest two days of shopping in the last five years', say retailers

There are just a few hours left for festive shoppers to buy this year's Christmas presents, with some retailers reporting a significant level in purchasing.

It has been a bumper time for retailers, who suggest that the weekend marked the biggest two days of shopping in the last five years.

Christmas Day falling on a Tuesday, as well as an influx of shoppers from Belfast, have been credited with the revival of consumer confidence.

David Fitzsimons of Retail Excellence Ireland said that the boost in business is hugely important for Ireland.

"There's 255,000 people working in retail, would you believe, another 35,000 were hired as seasonal temporaries over the Christmas period, and an awful lot of families depended on that income," he said.