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Stores open for bargain hunters Stores open for bargain hunters
(30 minutes later)
One of the busiest days of the shopping year is in full swing, with sales expected to draw millions of shoppers.One of the busiest days of the shopping year is in full swing, with sales expected to draw millions of shoppers.
Several sales began on Tuesday, but many shops are trading for the first time since Christmas Eve - some Next stores opened at 0500 GMT.Several sales began on Tuesday, but many shops are trading for the first time since Christmas Eve - some Next stores opened at 0500 GMT.
Analysts say the next few days may be crucial as High Street conditions have been tough and holiday trade can make up half of some firms' annual profits.Analysts say the next few days may be crucial as High Street conditions have been tough and holiday trade can make up half of some firms' annual profits.
The number of people shopping on Boxing Day was well up on 2005, figures show.The number of people shopping on Boxing Day was well up on 2005, figures show.
'Good start''Good start'
According to retail analysts Footfall, the number of shoppers visiting top stores across the UK was up 7% on last year.According to retail analysts Footfall, the number of shoppers visiting top stores across the UK was up 7% on last year.
But this activity may not translate into higher sales and profits for retailers, particularly with pressure from supermarkets and internet stores already leading to discounting.But this activity may not translate into higher sales and profits for retailers, particularly with pressure from supermarkets and internet stores already leading to discounting.
It has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy Tom Nathan, Brent Cross Shopping CentreIt has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy Tom Nathan, Brent Cross Shopping Centre
Nottingham's Victoria Centre and south Gloucestershire's Cribbs Causeway were among the shopping centres to open early on Wednesday to allow people to take advantage of clothing chain Next's sale at 0500 GMT.Nottingham's Victoria Centre and south Gloucestershire's Cribbs Causeway were among the shopping centres to open early on Wednesday to allow people to take advantage of clothing chain Next's sale at 0500 GMT.
Manchester's Arndale Centre opened at 0300 GMT, while most other shops started trading at 0900 GMT.Manchester's Arndale Centre opened at 0300 GMT, while most other shops started trading at 0900 GMT.
Brent Cross Shopping Centre in North London is expecting 150,000 shoppers on what it said would be its busiest day of the year.Brent Cross Shopping Centre in North London is expecting 150,000 shoppers on what it said would be its busiest day of the year.
"We have had a very good start," said Brent Cross spokesman Tom Nathan, who added that it had enjoyed a strong run-up to Christmas after a slow start to the festive period."We have had a very good start," said Brent Cross spokesman Tom Nathan, who added that it had enjoyed a strong run-up to Christmas after a slow start to the festive period.
"They are happy with their performance," he said of retailers' verdicts on the important pre-Christmas period."They are happy with their performance," he said of retailers' verdicts on the important pre-Christmas period.
"It has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy.""It has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy."
John Lewis says it is encouraged by how the sales have startedJohn Lewis says it is encouraged by how the sales have started
John Lewis reported brisk business on the first full day of sales, with queues at its flagship store on Oxford Street and other outlets.John Lewis reported brisk business on the first full day of sales, with queues at its flagship store on Oxford Street and other outlets.
"There is a nice momentum building up in the branch," said a spokeswoman."There is a nice momentum building up in the branch," said a spokeswoman.
John Lewis said it was "incredibly pleased" by business at its store at the Trafford Centre, near Manchester, its only outlet to open on December 26. The firm said it was "incredibly pleased" by business at its store at the Trafford Centre, near Manchester, its only outlet to open on December 26.
At its busiest period, the store drew nearly 1,500 customers in an hour, with china, tableware and iPods proving among the best-selling items. Queues formed at several of Marks & Spencer's largest branches well before they opened at 0800 GMT.
The retailer said its stores had been "very busy", reporting strong demand for mens' suits, womens' coats and lingerie which were all heavily discounted.
'Intense competition''Intense competition'
Thousands turned out on London's Oxford Street on Tuesday for the start of the Selfridges and Debenhams sales. Thousands turned out on London's Oxford Street on Tuesday for the start of the Selfridges and Debenhams sales while the Trafford Centre, Bluewater in Kent and the MetroCentre in Gateshead were bracing themselves for even larger crowds on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Trafford Centre, Bluewater in Kent and the MetroCentre in Gateshead, which all opened on Tuesday, were bracing themselves for even larger crowds.
It's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors Tim Sleep, Ernst & Young Poor maths 'fails' shoppersIt's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors Tim Sleep, Ernst & Young Poor maths 'fails' shoppers
Shoppers are expected to spend more than £30bn over the festive season, slightly more than last year.Shoppers are expected to spend more than £30bn over the festive season, slightly more than last year.
But there have been predictions of falling profits in some sectors.But there have been predictions of falling profits in some sectors.
Tim Sleep, retail director at the consultants Ernst & Young, said there was "intense" competition among retailers.Tim Sleep, retail director at the consultants Ernst & Young, said there was "intense" competition among retailers.
"Now, more and more you're seeing signs such as 'Winter Sale' or 'Seasonal Sales' instead of the post-Christmas or January sales," he said."Now, more and more you're seeing signs such as 'Winter Sale' or 'Seasonal Sales' instead of the post-Christmas or January sales," he said.
"The last two or three years we've seen more and more pre-Christmas discounting."The last two or three years we've seen more and more pre-Christmas discounting.
"But it's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors.""But it's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors."