Fun, fun, fun as shoppers snap up novelty items

Shopping centres and retailers across the country are bracing themselves today for the beginning of the busiest weekend of shopping leading up to Christmas.

Christmas sales make up around a fifth of annual retail sales, according to some shopping centres.

Items being snapped up have ranged from a £80,000 watch to novelty bin bags.

John Lewis said an influx of shoppers were seeking novelty, fun items this Christmas.

Sales have soared for pick-up gifts, with a 30 per cent year-on-year rise, the store said. One of the most popular novelty items is a pack of Christmas pudding bin bags, selling at a rate of one pack every 15 minutes.

Mandy Rush, assistant buyer for the home and gifts collection, said: “Shoppers want to focus on fun at Christmas and they’re picking up multiple comedy items to give their colleagues, at a range of low price points.

“Sales soared last week and are set to continue right up until the Christmas break.”

Many stores are opening longer hours – and some have even begun early Christmas sales – in an effort to entice shoppers through the doors.