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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| M&S to hold second one-day sale | M&S to hold second one-day sale |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Marks and Spencer is to hold a second one-day, 20%-off sale on Thursday, as it tries to tempt shoppers to spend despite the continuing economic gloom. | Marks and Spencer is to hold a second one-day, 20%-off sale on Thursday, as it tries to tempt shoppers to spend despite the continuing economic gloom. |
| In its second one-day sale in two weeks, M&S said many stores would stay open until midnight to enable customers to take advantage of the discount. | |
| M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose said the firm wanted to give shoppers "a helping hand in the run-up to Christmas". | M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose said the firm wanted to give shoppers "a helping hand in the run-up to Christmas". |
| Debenhams is also offering an "up to 20%-off" sale from Wednesday to Friday. | Debenhams is also offering an "up to 20%-off" sale from Wednesday to Friday. |
| 'Popular demand' | 'Popular demand' |
| Sir Stuart said M&S understood that customers were "feeling the pinch". | Sir Stuart said M&S understood that customers were "feeling the pinch". |
| Customers are facing tough times this Christmas and we want to help ease them through this period Mark Newton-Jones, Littlewoods Direct | Customers are facing tough times this Christmas and we want to help ease them through this period Mark Newton-Jones, Littlewoods Direct |
| Thursday's one-day sale will apply to clothing, homewares and wine in both M&S stores and via its website. | Thursday's one-day sale will apply to clothing, homewares and wine in both M&S stores and via its website. |
| The shops will also offer 20% off Christmas cakes and puddings, and the discount comes on top of the recent cut in VAT. | The shops will also offer 20% off Christmas cakes and puddings, and the discount comes on top of the recent cut in VAT. |
| Debenhams has also already held a number of sales days, which it said had increased customer numbers by about two-thirds. | Debenhams has also already held a number of sales days, which it said had increased customer numbers by about two-thirds. |
| "We're back by popular demand - it's as simple as that," said Debenhams deputy chief executive Michael Sharp. | "We're back by popular demand - it's as simple as that," said Debenhams deputy chief executive Michael Sharp. |
| Economic concerns | Economic concerns |
| Online retailer Littlewoods Direct is also cutting prices by up to 60% until 23 December. | Online retailer Littlewoods Direct is also cutting prices by up to 60% until 23 December. |
| "Despite the announced VAT cuts and falling fuel prices, customers are facing tough times this Christmas and we want to help ease them through this period," said Mark Newton-Jones, Littlewoods Direct chief executive. | "Despite the announced VAT cuts and falling fuel prices, customers are facing tough times this Christmas and we want to help ease them through this period," said Mark Newton-Jones, Littlewoods Direct chief executive. |
| There are increasing signs of a fall in UK consumer spending, as concerns grow about the health of the economy. | There are increasing signs of a fall in UK consumer spending, as concerns grow about the health of the economy. |
| Tesco said earlier this week that the rate of growth in its sales was now the weakest since the early 1990s. | Tesco said earlier this week that the rate of growth in its sales was now the weakest since the early 1990s. |
| And both Woolworths and MFI have been forced to go into administration, with falling sales being a contributory factor. | And both Woolworths and MFI have been forced to go into administration, with falling sales being a contributory factor. |