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Boxing Day sales boost for many shops across Wales | Boxing Day sales boost for many shops across Wales |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Shoppers have provided a boost to stores across Wales in the traditional Boxing Day sales following a tough year on the high street. | Shoppers have provided a boost to stores across Wales in the traditional Boxing Day sales following a tough year on the high street. |
One shopping centre in Wrexham said bargain hunters started queuing from 03:00 GMT, while other city centres reported brisk business. | One shopping centre in Wrexham said bargain hunters started queuing from 03:00 GMT, while other city centres reported brisk business. |
Discounts of up to 75% were available, while some stores opened early. | Discounts of up to 75% were available, while some stores opened early. |
Healthy sales figures were also reported in the run-up to Christmas despite the financial climate. | Healthy sales figures were also reported in the run-up to Christmas despite the financial climate. |
St David's shopping centre in Cardiff said more than 200,000 shoppers visited each day last week. However, many smaller independent shops remained closed in the city centre. | St David's shopping centre in Cardiff said more than 200,000 shoppers visited each day last week. However, many smaller independent shops remained closed in the city centre. |
Retailers were helped by better weather than last year when sales figures were hit by snow and bitter cold in the run up to the festive period. | Retailers were helped by better weather than last year when sales figures were hit by snow and bitter cold in the run up to the festive period. |
Steven Madeley, the St David's Centre director, said this year had been a good Christmas for the centre's shops considering the economic situation. | Steven Madeley, the St David's Centre director, said this year had been a good Christmas for the centre's shops considering the economic situation. |
Large queues | |
"We are fortunate that the weather was kinder to us this year, providing a real boost in footfall in the run-up to Christmas," he said. | "We are fortunate that the weather was kinder to us this year, providing a real boost in footfall in the run-up to Christmas," he said. |
"All of our different retail categories have performed well, including names that are new to Wales, which has been a pleasant surprise. | "All of our different retail categories have performed well, including names that are new to Wales, which has been a pleasant surprise. |
"Although some of our retailers started sales on selected lines before Christmas, Boxing Day is still when the majority of stock is reduced and our bigger stores like Debenhams and M&S begin their much-anticipated sales. | "Although some of our retailers started sales on selected lines before Christmas, Boxing Day is still when the majority of stock is reduced and our bigger stores like Debenhams and M&S begin their much-anticipated sales. |
"The trend for our retailers now is to discount heavily straight away and for the sales to finish in a shorter period." | "The trend for our retailers now is to discount heavily straight away and for the sales to finish in a shorter period." |
At the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea city centre, all but a handful of stores opened on Boxing Day. | At the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea city centre, all but a handful of stores opened on Boxing Day. |
A spokesman said: "It's been very good - very busy. The sales are on and a lot of people are out looking for a bargain." | A spokesman said: "It's been very good - very busy. The sales are on and a lot of people are out looking for a bargain." |
Elsewhere, the Next fashion store at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham saw large queues, with more than 1,000 people through the doors by 07:00 GMT. | Elsewhere, the Next fashion store at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham saw large queues, with more than 1,000 people through the doors by 07:00 GMT. |
Testing time | Testing time |
Store manager Claire Birchall arrived at 05:00 GMT and said she was amazed at the number of people waiting for the sale to begin. | Store manager Claire Birchall arrived at 05:00 GMT and said she was amazed at the number of people waiting for the sale to begin. |
She said that while the queue had been "immense," shoppers showed patience. | She said that while the queue had been "immense," shoppers showed patience. |
"We are allowing 500 people in initially and then it will have to be a system of 10 out, 10 in - that's the only way we ensure customer and staff safety." | "We are allowing 500 people in initially and then it will have to be a system of 10 out, 10 in - that's the only way we ensure customer and staff safety." |
Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said business was "brisk" at other stores in the centre. | Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said business was "brisk" at other stores in the centre. |
At McArthurGlen Bridgend Designer Outlet, centre manager Richard Garratt also said shops had been busy since doors opened at 10:00 GMT. | At McArthurGlen Bridgend Designer Outlet, centre manager Richard Garratt also said shops had been busy since doors opened at 10:00 GMT. |
There has been some cause for optimism for retailers in the UK this month as sales unexpectedly rose in December, according to a Confederation of British Industry survey. | There has been some cause for optimism for retailers in the UK this month as sales unexpectedly rose in December, according to a Confederation of British Industry survey. |
However, the last year has proved a testing time for many retailers on high streets across the country. | However, the last year has proved a testing time for many retailers on high streets across the country. |
UK retail sales figures showed that despite high street discounting, sales fell by 0.4% in November from the month before. | UK retail sales figures showed that despite high street discounting, sales fell by 0.4% in November from the month before. |
Retailers have suffered as incomes have been squeezed by rising prices, slow wage growth and government austerity measures. | Retailers have suffered as incomes have been squeezed by rising prices, slow wage growth and government austerity measures. |
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