Trade up by 25% on last year as shoppers spend

Published on Monday 27 December 2010 14:03

SCOTLAND'S bumper post- Christmas sales rush continued for a second day with retailers predicting trade up at least 25 per cent on last year.

While many big retailers began their sales on Boxing Day, others such as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer waited until yesterday to open their doors to bargain hunters.

Big-ticket goods, such as televisions, computers and kitchen appliances, are expected to enjoy record sales as shoppers race to beat the VAT increase on 4 January.

Anne Chilton, of Edinburgh, who was at the John Lewis sale, said: "I have three grandchildren and I have bought and outfit for all of them. The prices were pretty good - 50 per cent off."

Ms Chilton was also picking up a flatscreen television. "It wasn't in the sale but I bought it now to avoid the VAT increase."

Olive McMillen, from Edinburgh, bought boots and shoes as well as picking up a bundle of discounted Christmas tablecloths and napkins.

"It's all good quality stuff. I'll use them for Christmas next year," she said.

Shops selling discounted big-ticket items were reporting a roaring trade yesterday. Neil Maciver, manager of Richer Sounds in Edinburgh, said: "We've seen a huge demand for televisions. A lot of customers have mentioned the VAT increase.

"When we opened on Boxing Day, there were 50 people standing outside and that continued all day. We were letting one person out and one in all day."

Hazel Tierney, operations manager of John Lewis in Edinburgh, said: "Our sales for the first hour of the 'Clearance' event this year were 30 per cent up on last year.

"By the end of the day, we expect sales will be between 25 and 30 per cent up on last year.

"The weather was with us today. I don't think I have ever been so glad to see rain. The snow kept people away - so there is a pent-up demand for people to come to the shops."

Peter Beagley, the general manager of Braehead shopping centre in Renfrew, said: "People are showing incredible stamina when it comes to shopping. They seem determined to spend their Christmas-present money before the VAT increase on 4 January.

"Marks and Spencer has been extremely busy along with Game, Boots and River Island. Of course, the sale at Next is still a big attraction."

Hamish Millar, general manager of Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, said: "Boxing Day was an extremely busy day for the centre as shoppers made the most of all the bargains on offer."

Aberdeen's Union Square continued to be busy on Monday - after a record-breaking 45,000 bargain-hunters flocked to the centre on Boxing Day.

General manager Ryan Manson said: "Many stores have reported that lots of customers were given money for Christmas and are now looking to spend this, and get as much as they can for their cash."

People in the UK are expected to spend 4.3 billion in the sales this year - an average of 89.05 each, according to research.

More than a fifth of Scots plan to spend more than they did last year.