Early birds hunt festive bargains

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7160681.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Thousands of bargain hunters hit the streets in the hunt for knock-down items as the post-Christmas sales got under way.

Queues outside some stores began at 0500 GMT as eager shoppers shunned the chance of a Boxing Day lie-in.

Retailers said business was healthy, with takings similar to last year.

They said the growing popularity of internet shopping did not appear to have diminished people's enthusiasm for visiting stores.

At Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh, 800 people were said to have been queuing before the doors opened at 1000 GMT.

Spokeswoman Annette Lamb said bargain-hunters initially zoomed in on handbags, where many had 50% off the ticket price.

'Surge of customers'

"There's practically nothing left," she said of that department.

"I've never seen crowds like that, ever. It was just incredible and it's still really busy now.

"We're well up on last year. Even prior to Christmas and the sales, we had a good season. It makes you think there's room for the kind of products that we sell."

Andrew Cronie, centre manager at the Gyle Shopping Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh, said: "It's been a very busy day with people queuing up long before our doors opened and we anticipate there will be a surge of customers looking to take advantage of the sales over the next few days.

"Shoppers have become very savvy this year - a fact reflected in the increased number of gift vouchers sold prior to Christmas."

Business was also booming in Aberdeen, with a spokesman for The Mall saying it was "teeming" with people, adding: "We are very, very busy at this present time.

"I can see from the cameras we've got a steady flow coming through the centre right now."

It's manic down there, the car parks have been full since midday Jackie CuddyEastgate Shopping Centre

Jackie Cuddy, manager of the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness, the largest centre of its kind in the Highlands, said business was very brisk.

"It's manic down there, the car parks have been full since midday," she added.

In Glasgow, sales at the St Enoch Centre were said to be equivalent to last year.

General manager Susan Nicol said: "We have experienced strong sales and high footfall levels as is traditional on Boxing Day.

"Sales are on a par with last year with many shoppers benefiting from the excellent sales and offers available, including our flagship Debenhams store where there is up to 70% off thousands of items."

A strong finish to the year was also anticipated at the Howgate Mall, in Falkirk.

Manager Suzanne Arkinson said: "We anticipate that our footfall figures will be very healthy, particularly because an increasing number of customers purchased gift cards for their friends and family so that they could benefit from the post-Christmas sales."