It’s now down to the wire — last-minute holiday shopping.

Busy local retailers contacted were taking care of better-late-than-never customers’ needs, meeting or exceeding holiday sales expectations. Even nationally, news was mixed with some areas selling while others were lacking.

From flagship department stores to main street shops, consumers found packed parking lots, massive markdowns and extended hours — in some places, around-the-clock shopping — as merchants hope to salvage one of the worst shopping seasons in decades, brought on by the recession and growing economic uncertainty.

For those willing to spend, the deals abounded.

Jennifer Veitch, store director of Academy Sports and Outdoors in Port Arthur said a steady shopping season was “crazier now” than a few weeks ago. Best sellers have been a combination microscope/telescope set, two-way radios, remote control cars and helicopters, game tables, and the ever-popular hunting and fishing gear. In fact, the hunting and fishing gear sells well all year long.

She said there have been more customers than they originally anticipated and they expect a rush on Christmas Eve before they close at 6 p.m.

Molly Breaux, manager of The Collection in Groves, said they were “so busy” with a shopful of people.

“It’s been steadily busy. We’re holding our own, and we’re certainly doing well,” she said. “We’ve been selling lots of jewelry and home decor. We’re expecting a last-minute rush. We have been extending our hours but we’re closing at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.”

At Fred Miller’s in Nederland, manager Harry Fontenot said business is really steady since Thanksgiving, thanks to their loyal customers.

“We’re a small, family-owned business and our clientele is loyal. We offer a lot of customer services like wrapping and delivery. We’re like a miniature department store,” Fontenot said. “Our sales are as good as last year’s were though it wasn’t expected to be. Especially since the hurricanes, evacuations, gloom and doom about the economy and the elections and people are uncertain about things.

“But people are still having Christmas, even if it’s in a FEMA trailer.”

Ty Holbrook, store director of Circuit City in Port Arthur, has had steady sales in electronics all holiday season — Blu-rays, IPods, Guitar Hero and digital cameras.

“We can’t keep them in stock. Wiis are popular. Nobody can keep those in stock. TVs have been selling well. All sizes. I guess people are upgrading for the switch-over in February (2009),” Holbrook said. “I’ve been doing this for 12 years and this is what we expected. I don’t see it slowing down until we close our doors at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Christmas Eve).”

Only Sears reported there has been some lulls in business in addition to some good sales.

Manager Vanessa Bell said this year’s sales are averaging to last year’s with appliances and hardware being popular items because of hurricane recovery.