Boxing Day sees brisk start to sales
Consumers venture out for post-Christmas bargains
December 26 2002
Those UK retailers who opened on Boxing Day, December 26, reportedly saw a strong start to the sales season.
However, with only a small number of store trading, it was hard to say whether the number of consumers with money to spend would be enough to match the amount of discounted product which will be on sale once the majority of UK retailer reopen on December 27.
WH Smith, Woolworths, and Virgin all opened selected High Street stores, and were all said to be doing a brisk trade in discounted DVDs, CDs and gift items. Marks & Spencer, Next, Carpetright and First Sport were also amongst those trading from some outlets.
More than 2,000 customers queued for the 10am opening of the M&S store at Bluewater, Kent, while the Oxford Street branch of menswear retailer Suits You reported very heavy trading as one of the few stores trading on London’s most famous shopping street.
Many families were out shopping together, as were people hoping to pick up gifts at bargain prices for friend and relatives they were seeing later in the holiday period.
Nevertheless, retailers will have to sell a great deal of product to make up income lost in quiet pre-Christmas trading. 50 per cent discounts are the point of entry for the sales, with many retailers already advertising deeper discounts of up to 75 per cent, and others offering deeper price cuts to account card holders.