This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6211291.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Stores open for bargain hunters Stores open for bargain hunters
(about 3 hours later)
Retailers are starting what is expected to be one of the busiest days of the year, with sales set to draw millions of shoppers. One of the busiest days of the shopping year is in full swing, with sales expected to draw millions of shoppers.
Several sales began on Tuesday, but many shops are trading for the first time since Christmas Eve - some Next stores opened at 0500 GMT.Several sales began on Tuesday, but many shops are trading for the first time since Christmas Eve - some Next stores opened at 0500 GMT.
Analysts say the next few days may be crucial as holiday business can make up half of some companies' annual profits. Analysts say the next few days may be crucial as High Street conditions have been tough and holiday trade can make up half of some firms' annual profits.
Pressure from supermarkets and internet stores has already led to discounting.Pressure from supermarkets and internet stores has already led to discounting.
'Good start'
Nottingham's Victoria Centre and south Gloucestershire's Cribbs Causeway were among the shopping centres to open early to allow people to take advantage of clothing chain Next's sale at 0500 GMT.Nottingham's Victoria Centre and south Gloucestershire's Cribbs Causeway were among the shopping centres to open early to allow people to take advantage of clothing chain Next's sale at 0500 GMT.
Manchester's Arndale Centre opened at 0300 GMT, with Next also starting its sale there at 0500 GMT and most other shops due to open at 0900 GMT. Manchester's Arndale Centre opened at 0300 GMT, with Next also starting its sale there at 0500 GMT and most other shops opening at 0900 GMT.
A spokesperson said it expects more than 200,000 people to pass through its doors, more than three times the number on Tuesday. It has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy Tom Nathan, Brent Cross Shopping Centre
'Intense' competition Brent Cross Shopping Centre in North London is expecting 150,000 shoppers on what it said would be its busiest day of the year.
Major retailers have operated their Scottish branches for years on 26 December, but English and Welsh outlets stayed shut. "We have had a very good start," said Brent Cross spokesman Tom Nathan, who added that it had enjoyed a strong run-up to Christmas after a slow start to the festive period.
Since 2003, when three major regional shopping centres opened, more and more businesses have followed suit. "They are happy with their performance," he said of retailers' verdicts on the important pre-Christmas period.
"It has not been fantastic but good enough to be happy."
John Lewis says it is encouraged by how the sales have started
John Lewis reported brisk business on the first full day of sales, with queues at its flagship store on Oxford Street and other outlets.
"There is a nice momentum building up in the branch," said a spokeswoman.
John Lewis said it was "incredibly pleased" by business at its store at the Trafford Centre, near Manchester, its only outlet to open on December 26.
At its busiest period, the store drew nearly 1,500 customers in an hour, with china, tableware and iPods proving among the best-selling items.
'Intense competition'
Thousands turned out on London's Oxford Street on Tuesday for the start of the Selfridges and Debenhams sales.
Meanwhile, the Trafford Centre, Bluewater in Kent and the MetroCentre in Gateshead all opened on Tuesday but were bracing themselves for even larger crowds.
It's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors Tim Sleep, Ernst & Young Poor maths 'fails' shoppersIt's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors Tim Sleep, Ernst & Young Poor maths 'fails' shoppers
Thousands turned out on London's Oxford Street on Tuesday for the start of the Selfridges and Debenhams sales, but stores including John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were not due to launch their events until the following day.
Meanwhile, Manchester's Trafford Centre, Bluewater in Kent and the MetroCentre in Gateshead were all open on Tuesday but were bracing themselves for even larger crowds.
Shoppers are expected to spend more than £30bn over the festive season, slightly more than last year.Shoppers are expected to spend more than £30bn over the festive season, slightly more than last year.
But there have been predictions of falling profits in some sectors.But there have been predictions of falling profits in some sectors.
Tim Sleep, retail director at the consultants Ernst & Young, said there was "intense" competition among retailers.Tim Sleep, retail director at the consultants Ernst & Young, said there was "intense" competition among retailers.
"Now, more and more you're seeing signs such as 'Winter Sale' or 'Seasonal Sales' instead of the post-Christmas or January sales," he said."Now, more and more you're seeing signs such as 'Winter Sale' or 'Seasonal Sales' instead of the post-Christmas or January sales," he said.
"The last two or three years we've seen more and more pre-Christmas discounting."The last two or three years we've seen more and more pre-Christmas discounting.
"But it's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors.""But it's a tactic, a long with many others, that retailers are using to employ to drive customers through their doors."