The run up to Christmas has been slow for traders

In fact, some traders have called this one of their worst years ever.

Swansea, Bangor, Cardiff, Newport, Wrexham and Aberystwyth have all suffered a slow start to the season.

Many shops are hoping for a last-minute rush in the few days before Christmas to boost their figures.

Figures from Cardiff show that spending is up by 3% on last year, with Swansea and Bangor up by 2%.

But these figures are barely beating inflation and in Cardiff actually represent a drop of spending totals in September and October.

It is thought that the mild weather has had an effect on the sales of winter clothes and that internet shopping is encouraging people to shop online from the comfort of their homes.

In Newport, traders are hoping for a last minute Christmas rush.

John Gibbon says that traders are concerned

John Gibbon, from the city's Chamber of Trade said: "It is quiet at the moment, I just hope that it will pick up with last-minute shoppers next week," he said.

Mr Gibbon, who runs a specialist teddy bear company called Bears of Rosehill, said that many members of the chamber were complaining of the same problem.

"I have spoken to other people who are all saying that it is quiet.

"Traders are feeling the pinch at the moment.

"Everyone seems to be hoping for a last minute rush.

"This time of year is normally the busiest for a lot of traders, but it just doesn't seem to have happened this year.

"A lot of people get paid around the 20th so maybe they are waiting to see how much money they have got before they go shopping."

Mr Gibbon believes that internet shopping is one of the reasons that trade has been so slow.

"A lot of people are shopping over the internet now," he said.

Downturn

Newport department store Wildings has also suffered with lower numbers of Christmas shoppers than usual.

Peter James from the store said: "We have had a marginal downturn this year.

"But it is a difficult one to call because this year people could be holding back until the last few days.