Retailers around the country are expecting brisk trade as customers make last-minute Christmas Eve purchases.
Indications are that retailers are benefiting from bumper Christmas sales
Retail Ireland has forecast €1.1 billion in extra spending by customers this December.
It said that spending levels had been helped by retailers having a full week of trading and a full weekend just before Christmas Day.
The average household is expected to spend €1,000 more in the retail sector this month compared to other months – an increase of about 5% on last year.
Figures from Bank of Ireland show that spending levels for the first two weeks of December rose by 8% nationwide compared to the same time last year.
Spending in toy shops increased by 9%.
Restaurants reported a 10% increase and pubs a 7% increase.
Meanwhile, public transport services are facing into one of their busiest days of the year as they bring passengers to their destinations on the last day before Christmas.
Iarnród Éireann says it expects more than 200,000 people to travel on inter-city train services this weekend, as people join family and friends for Christmas.
DART, Commuter and bus services are running to a normal Sunday timetable up to 9pm, while Luas trams will operate until 8pm.
Intercity trains are running a normal Sunday timetable with the exception of some services to and from Heuston Station this evening and tonight.
Irish airports are reporting high volumes of passenger traffic ahead of the last incoming and outgoing flights before Christmas Day.
