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Shoppers brave Boxing Day sales Shoppers brave Boxing Day sales
(about 3 hours later)
Retailers have launched their Boxing Day sales, but some shoppers have been wrong-footed by Sunday trading laws. Retailers have reported frenetic scenes as Boxing Day bargain hunters rushed to beat reduced trading hours in many stores.
Because 26 December falls on a Sunday, trading hours are restricted. In England, larger stores can trade for only six hours on Sundays. Because 26 December falls on a Sunday this year, trading hours are restricted for many - in England, larger stores can trade for only six hours.
Some shoppers were hoping to beat a VAT rise 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 London's Selfridges, said the sale was "more challenging than we've ever had to do because of the late opening". Shopping centres across the UK reported "phenomenal" trading, with queues outside some stores.
With some 80,000 people expected to visit the store throughout Sunday, she added: "Managing this crowd is quite a challenge." Sue West, operations director of London's Selfridges, said this year's sale was "more challenging than we've ever had to do because of the late opening".
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. 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.
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.
Parking full
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."In terms of previous years, it's started much better," he said.
"People are spending a lot of money.""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. By 45 minutes after the centre opened, "every single space" had been taken, he said.
At the Meadowhall Centre in Sheffield, the inner ring road car park had reached its 9,500 space capacity before the shops opened for business at 1100 GMT.
The Arndale Centre in Manchester had "phenomenal" trading, and was expecting 170,000 shoppers through its doors by close of trading.
"It is difficult to get into some of the shops because of the sheer volume of people," said general manager Glen Barkworth.
"By 0930 we had 20,000 people in the malls and the shops only opened at 1100.
"We went around the shops to ask them to open early to extend the browsing time to allow customers into the stores."
Shoppers began queuing as early as 0500 GMT at Braehead shopping centre near Glasgow, according to general manager Peter Beagley.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."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." Although Braehead officially opened at 1000, some of the stores including Next and River Island had "got off to an excellent start" at 0700, he said.
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. By 1300 GMT there were 70,000 shoppers at the Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester.
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." Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at the centre, said the sales had "gone off like a rocket".
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. But he said the government needed to "take a long hard look" at the law on Sunday trading hours, given the tough trading environment shops had endured over the past 12 months.
Some stores - such branches of Next outside Scotland - are holding off opening their doors to their sales until Monday.
16-hour sales on Monday
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. New West End Company, which represents 600 retailers in London's West End, said some stores would be open for up to 16 hours on Monday to compensate for the restrictive Sunday trading hours.
Many consumers were also expected to avoid the High Street and shop from online the comfort of their own home.
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.