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Stores open for Boxing Day sales Stores open for Boxing Day sales
(40 minutes later)
Shops up and down the UK have opened their doors for the traditional Boxing Day sales. Thousands of shoppers have flooded into UK stores hoping to pick up bargains in the traditional Boxing Day sales.
Many stores had already launched their sales online, but some experts say they could be due for an extra boost because 26 December is on a Saturday this year. There were queues outside major stores and many shopping centres reported an "excellent" start to business.
The return of VAT to 17.5% next week could also encourage shoppers to hunt for bargains. Experts predicted a sales boost because 26 December was a Saturday and that people would buy goods before the VAT rate returns to 17.5% next week.
At Selfridges in Manchester a few shoppers were hurt when a panel from a plastic ceiling light fell onto them.At Selfridges in Manchester a few shoppers were hurt when a panel from a plastic ceiling light fell onto them.
'Bedlam''Bedlam'
It happened in the ground floor accessories area just after the store opened at 0800 GMT. Four people suffered cuts to their heads and bruising.It happened in the ground floor accessories area just after the store opened at 0800 GMT. Four people suffered cuts to their heads and bruising.
Adam Caulfield, from Oldham, said: "It was bedlam. Two or three girls had loads of blood gushing from their heads. There was at least 400 or 500 people just in that section."Adam Caulfield, from Oldham, said: "It was bedlam. Two or three girls had loads of blood gushing from their heads. There was at least 400 or 500 people just in that section."
In a statement, the store said it immediately cordoned off the area and that paramedics arrived within five minutes.In a statement, the store said it immediately cordoned off the area and that paramedics arrived within five minutes.
ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC News Such had been the sense of impending doom among Britain's retailers 12 months ago that last year's Boxing Day sales ended up being a mere continuation of the massive discounting which had been under way for most of last December.ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC News Such had been the sense of impending doom among Britain's retailers 12 months ago that last year's Boxing Day sales ended up being a mere continuation of the massive discounting which had been under way for most of last December.
This year there is enough evidence to suggest that those retailers who have survived the recession have refused so far to blink in their annual game of chicken with their customers.This year there is enough evidence to suggest that those retailers who have survived the recession have refused so far to blink in their annual game of chicken with their customers.
But that blinking will begin in earnest today when tens of thousands are expected to take to the High Streets and out of town centres to pick up the kind of bargains unimaginable two days ago.But that blinking will begin in earnest today when tens of thousands are expected to take to the High Streets and out of town centres to pick up the kind of bargains unimaginable two days ago.
Clarks, Next, Matalan and IKEA are all offering up to 50% off today - with Debenhams cutting prices by up to 70%.Clarks, Next, Matalan and IKEA are all offering up to 50% off today - with Debenhams cutting prices by up to 70%.
Then there's added the impetus of VAT rates going back up to 17% on New Years Day. That should persuade many shoppers of big-ticket items such as furniture and white goods to bring forward their trips to town. Ceiling panel falls on shoppersThen there's added the impetus of VAT rates going back up to 17% on New Years Day. That should persuade many shoppers of big-ticket items such as furniture and white goods to bring forward their trips to town. Ceiling panel falls on shoppers
"Selfridges is currently assessing the cause of the incident," it added."Selfridges is currently assessing the cause of the incident," it added.
Discounts this year are not expected to be as great as last year because firms have been more cautious about stock levels. Discounts this year were not expected to be as great as last year because firms had been more cautious about stock levels.
Last year, Boxing Day footfall at shops nationwide was up 12.5% on the previous year, driven by discounts as large as 90% in some stores.Last year, Boxing Day footfall at shops nationwide was up 12.5% on the previous year, driven by discounts as large as 90% in some stores.
Retailers offered the huge reductions in order to clear excess stock left behind in the wake of the financial crisis.Retailers offered the huge reductions in order to clear excess stock left behind in the wake of the financial crisis.
This year experts are predicting smaller savings, but a boost for retailers because Boxing Day falls at the weekend. However, Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), which owns 14 UK shopping sites including St David's in Cardiff and Westgate in Oxford, said its Braehead centre in Glasgow was busier than last year.
Jonathan de Mello, from market data company Experian, said: "Most retailers make around 25% of their weekly revenues on a Saturday, and given Boxing Day is now a major shopping day in its own right, it is conceivable that Boxing Day 2009 could be 'Super Saturday' - the biggest shopping day of the year so far - rivalling even 23 and 24 December." The Metrocentre in Gateshead said it had seen an "excellent" start to the sales.
Research by American Express suggests that more than £3 billion will be spent in the sales, with more than a third of those questioned saying they were more likely to indulge this year because of the impending VAT increase. CSC commercial director Trevor Pereira said laptops, TVs, mobile phones and home-wares were in high demand, along with winter clothes and cocktail dresses.
"Shoppers have been planning their sale purchases before the VAT hike comes into effect, and as a consequence we are extremely busy," he said.
The government cut the rate to 15% in December last year in a bid to boost the struggling UK economy.The government cut the rate to 15% in December last year in a bid to boost the struggling UK economy.
Staff at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex said that drivers arrived as early as 0500 GMT to get to its branch of Next which opened an hour later.
General manager Paul Lancaster said it had been "an excellent day".
More than 125,000 shoppers were expected at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, where general manager Andrew Parkinson said car parks were 70% full by 1100 GMT.
Similarly, the 12,000 space car-park at Sheffield's giant Meadowhall shopping centre was virtually full by that time.
Jonathan de Mello, from market data company Experian, said most retailers made around 25% of their weekly revenues on a Saturday.
"It is conceivable that Boxing Day 2009 could be 'Super Saturday' - the biggest shopping day of the year so far - rivalling even 23 and 24 December," he said.
Research by American Express suggested more than £3bn would be spent in the sales, with more than a third of those questioned saying they were more likely to spend because of the impending VAT increase.