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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Boxing Day sales: Shoppers flock to stores | Boxing Day sales: Shoppers flock to stores |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Shoppers across the UK have been descending on their High Streets for the annual Boxing Day sales. | Shoppers across the UK have been descending on their High Streets for the annual Boxing Day sales. |
| Some had queued from the early hours in the hope of securing bargains. | Some had queued from the early hours in the hope of securing bargains. |
| Among those offering reductions were familiar names like Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, House of Fraser, Next and Marks & Spencer. | Among those offering reductions were familiar names like Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, House of Fraser, Next and Marks & Spencer. |
| Despite Black Friday's emergence as a major UK shopping day, Myf Ryan of Westfield shopping centres said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction". | Despite Black Friday's emergence as a major UK shopping day, Myf Ryan of Westfield shopping centres said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction". |
| Westfield operates two large shopping centres in west and east London. | Westfield operates two large shopping centres in west and east London. |
| "This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers," she said. | "This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers," she said. |
| Online challenge | Online challenge |
| The Next fashion chain opened at 06:00 GMT, and at one of its stores on Oxford Street in London's West End, 600 people were queuing to get in. | The Next fashion chain opened at 06:00 GMT, and at one of its stores on Oxford Street in London's West End, 600 people were queuing to get in. |
| In Birmingham, some shoppers had been queuing since 02:30 outside the Bullring branch of Selfridges, with store deputy manager Sam Watts estimating some 2,000 were in the queue by opening time. | In Birmingham, some shoppers had been queuing since 02:30 outside the Bullring branch of Selfridges, with store deputy manager Sam Watts estimating some 2,000 were in the queue by opening time. |
| Crowds of up to 150,000 descended on Sheffield's Meadowhall Centre, with director Darren Pearce describing it as "possibly our busiest Boxing Day to date". | Crowds of up to 150,000 descended on Sheffield's Meadowhall Centre, with director Darren Pearce describing it as "possibly our busiest Boxing Day to date". |
| According to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG, internet shoppers are expected to spend £748m on Boxing Day, or £519,000 a minute. | According to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG, internet shoppers are expected to spend £748m on Boxing Day, or £519,000 a minute. |
| They also predict some 167 million visits to online retail sites, up 29% on 2013, during the day. | They also predict some 167 million visits to online retail sites, up 29% on 2013, during the day. |
| "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers," said Experian's Giles Longhurst. | "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers," said Experian's Giles Longhurst. |
| "Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday." | "Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday." |
| Disputes | Disputes |
| Tesco Direct said it expected sales of more than 5,000 televisions and more than 2,000 games consoles during the day. | Tesco Direct said it expected sales of more than 5,000 televisions and more than 2,000 games consoles during the day. |
| Supermarket chain Asda said it was predicting more than two million shoppers through its doors. | Supermarket chain Asda said it was predicting more than two million shoppers through its doors. |
| The shopping frenzy could mean a heavy workload for the new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, when he turns up for his new role on 2 January. | The shopping frenzy could mean a heavy workload for the new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, when he turns up for his new role on 2 January. |
| Mr Dunham said he expected his first task to be dealing with disputes caused by Christmas shopping and new year sales bargain hunters. |