Plenty of shopping plazas across the South-East are open late for those last-minute Christmas shoppers, but is it worth the hassle? And when is it too late?

QUT Retail and Consumer Behaviour Expert Gary Mortimer told Shane Doherty on 4BC Summer Drive, 'Even a small centre like Runaway Bay is pumping, the car park's already busy.'

'There's a lot of last-minute gifting taking place, but there's a lot of focus on the supermarkets and our grocery stores.'

'I'm really starting to see fresh produce, seafood, ham, sausages, stuff for the barbecue really peaking at the moment,' Mortimer said.