Shopping centres across Bristol are cautiously optimistic about festive trade in the run up to Christmas.

The city's three main shopping centres claim visitor numbers are substantially up on last year – but none have released sales figures.

Experts believe Boxing Day – which falls on a Saturday – will be one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

It is also thought shoppers will be keen to buy before January 1, when VAT reverts to 17.5 per cent from 15 per cent.

Richard Belt, centre director of the £500 million Cabot Circus development said: "The number of people visiting us in the past three and a half weeks has been absolutely superb – footfall has been up around 25 per cent.

"Last week, Cabot had around 500,000 visitors as people got ready for Christmas.

"Our biggest day so far was Saturday, November 28 – most people had just been paid so we had 125,000 people through the centre.

"The vast majority of our traders are very pleased with things.

"We currently have around four of the 140 shops vacant, but we're negotiating with new occupiers – for example, PC World is moving into the former Zavvi store and will be open and trading soon."

Steve Bluff, general manager at House of Fraser, said: "We've had a great couple of weeks and in particular the past two weekends and late evenings have proved extremely busy. We're also seeing the usual influx of last minute shoppers despite the snow and ice. This year customers have been looking for value offers and while we don't go in to sale until Boxing Day, we have some good offers in store meaning shoppers are getting more for their money.

"Fashion wise, Linea, Howick and Kenneth Cole have therefore performed extremely well.

"All of the departments have performed well this Christmas and a lot of that is due to customer loyalty and the introduction of new brands. In particular our Red Letter experience days have been very popular and we now have Virgin Holidays in store, with couples buying holidays as Christmas presents."

Jon Edwards, commercial director for The Mall at Cribbs Causeway said: "In October, we started to see consumers returning as they waited for sales and value from shops. The first week of December was our busiest week so far, with more than 350,000 people through the Mall doors that week – compared to an average of around 260,000 a week normally.

"John Lewis is performing very strongly and we've had new shops opening including an Apple store, which is proving extremely popular.

"We're opening at 5am on Boxing Day for the Next sale.

"We've had a tough year but things are picking up very well this month."

Jo Hawkins, project manager for Broadmead, said: "Despite the tough economic conditions this year, the lead-up to Christmas has been very positive for Broadmead with a rise in overall pre-Christmas sales and an increase in footfall across the retail offering.

"December is the most important month in the retail calendar and our customers have been treated to a wide range of festive activities in Broadmead to enhance their shopping experience.

"I am expecting to see positive spending up until Christmas and after Christmas, when many retailers will open on Boxing Day to launch their sales and shoppers will be able to take full advantage of discounted goods before the increase in VAT on January 1."

Jonathan de Mello, director of retail and property at retail analyst firm Experian said: "Boxing Day 2009 will be an absolutely crucial day for retailers, as this year it falls on a Saturday. Most retailers make around 25 per cent of their weekly revenues on a Saturday, and given Boxing Day is now a major shopping day in its own right, it is conceivable that Boxing Day 2009 could be 'Super Saturday' – the biggest shopping day of the year so far – rivalling even December 23 and 24."