Christmas cheer for retailers as traditional sound of ringing tills makes a return

Millions of shoppers hit the stores across the UK at the weekend, helping to boost dwindling retail figures.

Retailers across the UK slashed their prices to entice Christmas shoppers into stores, over what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), which operates 14 malls including Braehead in Glasgow, the Trafford Centre in Manchester, Lakeside in Thurrock, and St David’s in Cardiff, reported that customers had been queuing since 9am in some places and car parks were almost at full capacity by midday.

Braehead said newly opened Apple and Hollister stores were especially popular. Peter Beagley, general manager, said: “An army of shoppers were on the march into Braehead yesterday as people got down to some serious Christmas shopping. The shops were barely open when the car parks filled up and we brought in extra staff to help motorists.”