This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-12080161
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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 26 December falls on a Sunday, trading hours are restricted. In England, larger stores can trade for only six hours on Sundays. | |
Some shoppers were hoping to beat a VAT rise from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January. | |
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 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." | |
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. |