Shopping: It's the best time to bag a bargain

Published on Saturday 19 December 2009 10:55

IT'S the weekend before Christmas and traditionally shopping centres and high streets throughout Scotland are filled with those disorganised souls who've put off their shopping to the last-minute and who'll just have to buy whatever over-priced tat is left.

But before anyone who's had their Christmas lists ticked off, wrapped and under the tree for weeks begins to feel smug, experts are saying this year the canniest shoppers are those who are only just beginning to buy.

This year, more high-street shops than ever before are slashing their prices in the run-up to Christmas, rather than waiting for Boxing Day to launch the customary sale. According to research by the Global Retail Network, more than 50 per cent of high street retailers will have started their sales this week.

Brendan Dorrian, Scottish chief executive officer of GNR, explains: "The combination of the credit crunch, reduced footfall and overstocks has resulted in a more aggressive promotional position."

Of course, pre-Christmas sales, particularly with the recession biting last year, are nothing new. But the good news for shoppers this year is that while the discounts are less dramatic, the offers are being applied to more lines and ranges.

And while that sounds like there will be little festive cheer for retailers, Richard Dodd, of the Scottish Retail Consortium, insists that's not necessarily the case. Last year, he explains, the recession was at its height and people cut back on all purchases except for essentials such as food. But over the last few months there has been a growth in consumer confidence – and Richard says that this new money being spent on the high street is at the root of the widespread sales.

He says: "The retailers are determined to get their hands on this cash and are waging battle with each other, which means more discounts for the customers."

It's part of a changing pattern of festive shopping, according to Richard Ferguson, director of Edinburgh clothing store Aitken & Niven, which has been running discounts on school uniforms and sports lines in the run-up to Christmas, despite a rise in sales over the previous 12 months.

He explains: "This year, like the last few, sales started to quieten off across the board in December onwards and the discounts are a reaction to that."

So does such aggressive early discounting across the high street mean that the traditional Boxing Day and New Years Day sales are becoming a thing of the past?

Richard Ferguson thinks so: "Sales are a different experience now. Years ago we would have had our sale on 2 January and back then we used to have everyone coming on one day and queues coming out of the shop with people looking for bargains. That doesn't really happen any more."

And Rochelle Weir, general manager of the St James's Shopping Centre on Leith Street, where several stores already have sales running, agrees: "The shops have to do what they have to do to keep going and at the moment that means early sales. But the more that the retailers discount in December and even now in November, the less proper, genuine January sales we will see."

However, the SRC's Richard Dodd believes the Boxing Day sale is far from dead. He says: "The post-Christmas sales will be a really big event this year despite the discounting pre-Christmas. Boxing Day is a Saturday this year and traditionally Saturday is always the biggest

Savviest Christmas shoppers leave it to the last minute

shopping day of Christmas week. All the shops will want to open because they will have stock they want to shift and they know that customers have a tough year ahead as they start to worry about their personal finances."

And indeed Ikea, House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols, Next and Zara are among the big names who will be going for a 26th date for a sales start. But for those who are looking for a pre-Christmas bargain, here's just a flavour of the many stores offering discounts:

H&M

H&M have chopped 50% off. bobble hats and chunky knit scarves are among the bargains. SALE NOW ON

Kookai

With the focus on lacquered looks and shimmering sequins, head to Kookai's up to 50 per cent off sale. SALE ON NOW

Futon Co

If you need somewhere cosy to put Christmas guests up, the Futon Co is offering up to 250 off sofa beds and there's a buy one get one half price deal on foldout mattresses. SALE ON NOW

Aitken & Niven

This school uniform specialist is offering 10 per cent off school clothes as well as 50 per cent off British and Irish Rugby 2009 lines and most sportswear. SALE STARTS TODAY

Andiamo

Party dresses and winter coats are 40% off. SALE ON NOW

LK Bennett

40 per cent off clothing ranges and up to 50 per cent off shoes. Highlights include a long black cashmere coat down from 495 to 345. SALE ON NOW

Coast

Coast is slashing 50 per cent off its products – this purple, silk ruched dress is 75, down from 135. SALE ON NOW

Habitat

Habitat is offering 20 per cent off its dining tables including the extendable Jerico table. There is also 20 per cent off smaller items and its range of children's toys. SALE ON NOW (50 per cent off sale begins Boxing Day)

Hobbs

Up to 50% off. Highlights include the Lark bag in Fern, a suede satchel trimmed with feathers and tassels, down from 149 to 74, and a single button, satin trimmed tuxedo jacket from its younger, edgy NW3 line, down from 179 to 89. SALE ON NOW

Homebase

Homebase's "up-to-half-price" sale includes discounts across big ticket items like kitchens and bathrooms. SALE BEGINS MONDAY

Wallis

No date for the start of the store-wide sale as yet, but will be before Christmas. The store is currently offering 50 per cent off jewellery and discounts on winter coats.

SOME OFFERS ON NOW

Argos

Up to 50 per cent off video games, toys and watches, 60 per cent off haircare and 100 off selected HD TVs. SALE ON NOW TILL 24TH

Mountain Warehouse

A 50 per cent off sale on almost everything in store including a full ski outfit for 99. SALE ON NOW

Warren James

Half-price, a highlight of which is the sterling silver charm bracelet at 31. SALE ON NOW

Gap

Gifts, such as gloves, slippers and hats, are on special offer until Christmas – for example knitted mittens are currently 5, down from 12.50. OFFER ON NOW