Boxing Day sale bargain hunters join massive shop queues to splurge £4.6BILLION – that’s £236 for each and every shopper_Nhy
While many of us will be nursing a sore head after a fun-fueled Christmas, this hasn’t stopped a dedicated few from hitting the Boxing Day sales already.
Shoppers have been spotted in their droves in towns and cities across the UK as they hope to make the most of today’s biggest deals.
Some bargain hunters were even still wearing their pyjamas and dressing gowns as they were seen queueing up as early as 8am this morning.
In Newcastle, eager shoppers could be seen patiently standing outside JD Sports on Northumberland Street before rushing into the store as soon as the shutters opened.
Many of the customers wrapped themselves in coats as they braved the cold to get their hands on goods discounted by up to 50 percent.
People were also spotted forming an orderly line outside of Selfridges and Harrods in London, while huge snaking queues were seen inside Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
Shoppers are expected to spend up to £4.6 billion in today’s sales, equating to an an average of £236 each.
But while that may seem excessive, this is actually a two per cent decrease compared with the overall spend last year, according to analysis published by Barclays.
Shoppers are seen entering JD Sports on Northumbrland street in Newcastle as soon as the shutters go up at 8am
Huge snaking queues have been spotted at the Trafford Centre Manchester this morning as shoppers eagerly awaited to cash in on the Boxing Day sales
Shoppers enter the Selfridges department store on London’s Oxford Street as doors open for the Boxing Day sales
The slump comes as retailers are reeling from Labour’s £25 billion raid on employer National Insurance and an inflation-busting rise to wages.
Household names including Currys and B&Q have warned the tax hike will result in lower pay, fewer staff and higher prices.
Retailers will be hoping for a lucrative spending spree after figures last week painted a bleak picture of the festive period so far.
A survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed sales declined for the third month in a row in December and that firms see no sign of improvement in January.
The CBI found that sales this month were ‘poor’ for the time of year.
That is a blow for the High Street during the critical season ahead of Christmas – which is a ‘make or break’ time for many firms.
But in a win for retailers in the battle against online platforms such as Amazon, more people plan to spend money in shops than last year.
Some household names – including Next and Marks & Spencer – have said they will not open shops today so staff can spend more time with loved ones.
But brands who do open today could be set for ringing tills.
A shopper walks past a sale sing on Oxford Street, London, during the Boxing Day sales
Shoppers flood Oxford Street to make most of the Boxing Day sales
Shoppers wait in line for the start of the Boxing Day sales at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London
Two successful shoppers make their way along Oxford Street on Boxing Day
Some bargain hunters were even still wearing their pyjamas and dressing gowns as they were seen queueing outside Selfridges in London as early as 8am this morning
Shoppers queueing outside Selfridges department store on London’s Oxford Street during the Boxing Day sales
Boxing Day queues gather at the Trafford Centre Manchester this morning
One shopper seemed to get what he came for as he is seen walking down Oxford Street with several JD Sports bags
Snaking queues are seen inside the Trafford Centre in Manchester as shoppers look to cash in on the Boxing Day sales
Shoppers enter the Selfridges department store on London’s Oxford Street as doors open for the Boxing Day sales
People enter Selfridges on Oxford Street when it opens in London
Shoppers were spotted fuelling up on coffee while queueing up outside Harrods in Knightsbridge, London
One quarter of those surveyed by Barclays intend to do the most of their shopping in a store – an 11 percentage point increase compared to last year.
Respondents put this down to wanting to see and touch items before they buy them and enjoying socialising while shopping.
And the cost of living is still looming large in consumers’ minds as more people are on the hunt for food and kitchen goods this year.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: ‘Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales.
‘This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.’
