The increases came despite continued competition from the big-box retailers, and shoppers who remain price conscious.

Here's a look at the numbers for November, the most recent figures available from shops.

Ala Moana Center: Sales were up 2.8 percent, said Dwight Yoshimura, general manager.

"The 'wrap-it-up-early' promotion helped with our Christmas sales (in November)," Yoshimura said. "The Japanese tourists (sales) were fairly strong and the locals (sales) were stable but everyone is price conscious."

New stores at Ala Moana include Prada, a clothing and leather store, and Gianni Versace, a clothing store, he said.

Kahala Mall: November sales were up 7.66 percent, said Susan Pinter, marketing director.

"When we were kicking off the holiday season, we saw the people shopping early," Pinter said.

Sales were helped by the expansion of Mark's Hallmark card shop and the Body Shop clothing store in November. General Nutrition Center and a Starbucks coffee shop opened in December.

Pearlridge Center: Sales climbed 6.6 percent, said Marty Lastner, general manager.

"We did some special promotions, like the Aloha Santa sand sculpture and 'Stress Busters' where Kuakini Hospital came in to talk about ways to deal with stress," Lastner said. "On the Thanksgiving weekend, we were jammed with people."

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center: Business was down 16 percent from a strong November last year but Charlian Wright, marketing director, says business is stabilizing.

"Though there were shorter stays, fewer visitors, and of course the depreciation in the value of the yen against the dollar, the percentage decreases seem to be leveling off," Wright said.

Windward Mall: Sales were up 8 percent, said spokeswoman Wright. "This can be attributed to the increase in traffic generated by pre-Christmas sales, merchant promotions, new seasonal and specialty stores, plus doubling the Christmas promotions. . . ," Wright said.