27-12-2007
Strong results for Boxing Day sales
Despite reports of a slow Christmas period for retailers, Boxing Day sales have attracted large numbers of prospective bargain hunters, it has been claimed.
Reports suggest that shoppers are attracted by large high street price reductions, with stores in some locations, such as Birmingham and Edinburgh, generating queues outside. Selfridges in Birmingham is reported to be offering discounts of up to 75 per cent.
"It's clear that retailers are going to have to offer bumper sales to tempt customers in, because finances are under strain this year," said Richard Dodd, a representative from the British Retail Consortium, a UK-based trade association for the country's retail sector. "A lot of customers are reluctant to spend and there are worries about how their finances are going to stand up," he added.
However, the BBC has revealed that Boxing Day in London's West End saw approximately 500,000 shoppers.