Crunch time for last-minute holiday shoppers

UNDATED (NBC) -- Even as we're hearing from a lot of Americans worried about the fiscal cliff and its effect on their taxes, on this final weekend before Christmas, malls are packed across America.

It’s the holiday rush. With just three more days to shop before Christmas, the crowds are out in full force on this super Saturday.

“I know who I need to buy for, but not what I’m buying yet,” said one shopper.

Uncertainty over the fiscal cliff is on the minds of some shoppers.

A poll out this week of 1,500 Americans show that 17 percent are planning to spend less due to money concerns.

Still, retail analysts say holiday sales are on track to rise 4.1 percent to $586 billion, the most optimistic forecast since the recession.

“And if we recall Black Friday did about 11.2 billion dollars in sales but they had very strong results compared to last year retailers are hoping that the consumers will come back and deliver those same strong results during this last weekend of the year,” said Bill martin, founder and EVP of Shoppertrak.

Last-minute shoppers playing the waiting game are in good company.

A poll released this week by Consumer Reports found that 132 million people hadn't finished their holiday shopping, 26 million had yet to start and 17 million said they planned to be shopping on Christmas Eve.

“I work better under pressure than if I do with a lot of time,” said another shopper.

Retailers are meeting that demand by offering more discounts and more time to shop.

Toys ‘R’ Us, Macy's and Target are just a few stores staying open around the clock until Christmas Eve.

For the record number of online shoppers who shipped ahead, drivers are also out in force racing against the clock and battling winter weather to deliver gifts on time.

“It was very windy, raining sideways but the packages have to get out. It just has to be done,” said Shawn Lynch, FedEx driver.

It’s a push to the finish line and the checkout line as shoppers and retailers count down to Christmas.