Shops hope for Boxing Day boost

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-16332867

Version 0 of 1.

Retailers in Scotland are hoping Boxing Day sales will boost income at the end of what has been a tough year on the High Street.

In the months running up to Christmas sales and spending in Scotland showed signs of trailing behind the UK.

However, the past week has been helped by the fact Christmas fell on a Sunday.

Across the country some shopping centres opened as early as 06:00 on Boxing Day, with discount levels running up to 70%.

Ryan Manson, general manager for Aberdeen's Union Square, said it had its busiest week since opening in October 2009, with more than 350,000 people through its doors.

He added: "Since we opened the doors this morning, bargain hunters have been out in force suggesting that the in-store discounts and post-Christmas sales are generating lots of interest."

Peter Beagley, general manager of Braehead to the west of Glasgow, said: "The number of shoppers coming to Braehead on Boxing Day is up on last year and we're expecting this trend to continue."

Silverburn, in Glasgow, said more than 1,500 shoppers queued outside from 05:00 for the Next sale.

Centre director David Pierotti said: "High numbers of shoppers are anticipated this week with in excess of 350,000 shoppers expected to take advantage of the discounts."

The Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow reported a "great start" to the sales, as did The Centre in Livingston, the East Kilbride Shopping Centre and the Overgate centre in Dundee.