Record takings in the sales as shoppers' cars choke cities
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.After a disappointing Christmas and a slow start to the sales, shops across Britain reported record takings yesterday. Winter clothes were on offer at half-price in some stores, and retailers promised more cuts to get rid of unsold stock left over from before Christmas.
City centres all over Britain ground to a halt as drivers headed for the sales. Liverpool was gridlocked and traffic was brought to a standstill in Manchester, Sunderland, Bolton, Chester and Birmingham. Sales traffic was also heavy in Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Croydon, Southampton, Oxford, Truro and around London's Brent Cross shopping complex.
An RAC spokesman, Rob Maynard, said: "People are prepared to queue in their cars for hours to get the bargains they want."
The Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex, said takings were 10 to 12 per cent up on last year. "It has been an exceptional day," said a spokesman. "We are expecting 140,000 by the end of the day."
The MetroCentre in Gateshead was also having a record-breaking time with 300,000 people visiting over the weekend and yesterday. A lot of the shoppers were spending their windfall from the Northern Rock building society's conversion to a bank.
Selfridges director David Elliott, who is also vice president of the Oxford Street Traders' Association, said: "It has been absolutely packed today. There are record numbers of people - 12,000 more than last year in our store alone. There are obviously a lot of people who are still on holiday. Men's clothes are selling well. We have had a lot of half- price stock and we will be making further reductions in the next 24 hours."
Marks & Spencer reported busy high street shops up and down the country.
The CBI said many manufacturing industry businesses were on two weeks' holiday - but many other workers in retail and leisure industries were having their busiest periods. Clive Vaughan of Verdict retail analysts said: "More and more people are taking a fortnight off over Christmas so there is plenty of time for going to the sales.
"Records are being broken in some places, particularly out-of-town shopping centres." Jobs boom, page 22
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments