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Shoppers brave Boxing Day sales Shoppers brave Boxing Day sales
(40 minutes later)
Retailers have launched their Boxing Day sales, but some shoppers have been wrong-footed by Sunday trading laws.Retailers have launched their Boxing Day sales, but some shoppers have been wrong-footed by Sunday trading laws.
Because the 26 December falls on a Sunday, trading hours are restricted to six hours in England. Because 26 December falls on a Sunday, trading hours are restricted. In England, larger stores can trade for only six hours on Sundays.
Consumers are expected to seek out bargains before VAT rises from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January. Some shoppers were hoping to beat a VAT rise from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January.
Sue West, operations director of Selfridges in London, said the sale was "more challenging than we've ever had to do because of the late opening". Sue West, operations director of London's Selfridges, said the sale was "more challenging than we've ever had to do because of the late opening".
With some 80,000 people expected to visit the store throughout Sunday, she added: "Managing this crowd is quite a challenge."With some 80,000 people expected to visit the store throughout Sunday, she added: "Managing this crowd is quite a challenge."
The BBC's Ben Geoghegan said shoppers there - some of whom had been queuing for up to 12 hours - were "screaming with relief" when doors opened at the store and shoppers were allowed in from the cold. The BBC's Ben Geoghegan said shoppers there - some of whom had been queuing for up to 12 hours - were "screaming with relief" when doors opened at the store at 1100 GMT and shoppers were allowed in from the cold.
Many retailers are offering heavy discounts to make up for the impact on sales of freezing pre-Christmas temperatures and heavy snow.Many retailers are offering heavy discounts to make up for the impact on sales of freezing pre-Christmas temperatures and heavy snow.
Peter Cook, director of the White Rose Centre in Leeds, said he was expecting 65,000 people through his doors on Sunday.Peter Cook, director of the White Rose Centre in Leeds, said he was expecting 65,000 people through his doors on Sunday.
"In terms of previous years, it's started much better," he said. "People are spending a lot of money." "In terms of previous years, it's started much better," he said.
"People are spending a lot of money."
Some stores - such as John Lewis's flagship Oxford Street outlet and branches of Next outside Scotland - are holding off opening their doors to their sales until Monday.Some stores - such as John Lewis's flagship Oxford Street outlet and branches of Next outside Scotland - are holding off opening their doors to their sales until Monday.
Shoppers began queuing as early as 0500 GMT at Braehead shopping centre near Glasgow, according to general manager Peter Beagley.
"I've no doubt that shoppers also had their eye on the VAT increase in January and were buying items to save on paying the extra VAT," he said.
At Aberdeen's Union Square shopping centre, general manager Ryan Manson said: "Many retailers have extended post-Christmas sales to clear the decks for 2011 so we hope and expect to see the tills ringing well into the New Year."
In Birmingham, the Bullring's manager Tim Walley said 25,000 shoppers had passed through its doors by 1200 GMT and he anticipated that a total of 180,000 would visit the centre at some point during the day.
Nicky Bromley, spokeswoman for the WestQuay shopping centre in Southampton, said: "We had people queuing outside the door at 1100, particularly for Currys and Game, and tomorrow morning the Next sale starts at 0500, so we'll have more queues."
However, shoppers in London's Westfield centre - who also had to contend with a Tube strike - said they were frustrated by the delay in getting into stores because of Sunday trading rules.However, shoppers in London's Westfield centre - who also had to contend with a Tube strike - said they were frustrated by the delay in getting into stores because of Sunday trading rules.
"We're meant to be in a time of economic hardship, but here we've got all these people with money to spend wandering around not spending it," said James Dixon, 36, of Hayes, west London."We're meant to be in a time of economic hardship, but here we've got all these people with money to spend wandering around not spending it," said James Dixon, 36, of Hayes, west London.
"If it's the law, then the law should change.""If it's the law, then the law should change."
Emma Wills, 27, of Putney, south-west London, added: "It's annoying because there's even less chance of beating the rush."Emma Wills, 27, of Putney, south-west London, added: "It's annoying because there's even less chance of beating the rush."
Many consumers are also expected to avoid the High Street and shop from online the comfort of their own home to avoid the freezing conditions.Many consumers are also expected to avoid the High Street and shop from online the comfort of their own home to avoid the freezing conditions.
Comparison website moneysupermarket.com forecasts this year's Boxing Day sales to be the biggest ever, estimating that the UK will spend £323m over the internet on 26 December.Comparison website moneysupermarket.com forecasts this year's Boxing Day sales to be the biggest ever, estimating that the UK will spend £323m over the internet on 26 December.