Last-minute shoppers crowd stores on Christmas Eve

UNDATED - It's beginning to look a lot like...shopping!

Christmas Eve shoppers were beginning to fill the parking spaces around the square in downtown Gainesville Friday morning looking for those last minute bargains, and on-the-square retailers said they hoped those shoppers would share those last holiday dollars with them.

One shopkeeper said it's been a much better shopping season this year.

The parking lot on the Pearl Nix Parkway side of Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville was another crowded spot for shoppers in North Georgia. The same was the case at Wal-Mart on Shallowford Road and at The Village shopping center at McEver Road and Dawsonville Highway.

Shoppers were after last shopping day bargains with retail prices dropped as much as 50 percent.

At Stonebridge shopping center in Flowery Branch just off Interstate 985, the parking lot was also beginning to fill up Friday morning. Nearby big box stores including Kohl's, Target and Home Depot had their doors open for last minute shoppers as well.

National reports are showing the best yuletide retail season in three years with buying up 3 percent and sales exceeding over $400 million.