Your guide to the New Year bargains

Year-round price wars can be confusing, but there are still great electrical deals available now, writes Michael Oliveira-Salac

With the recent reports of the boom in sales for electrical retailers this Christmas, it seems that there may be very little on offer during the January sales. However, there are still bargains to be found.

With the recent reports of the boom in sales for electrical retailers this Christmas, it seems that there may be very little on offer during the January sales. However, there are still bargains to be found.

Dixons, Currys, Tempo and Comet are engaged in permanent price wars which are so competitive that consumers can benefit from deals throughout the year. Currys offered extra sale discount prices each day for the first three days of its sale, which started on Boxing Day.

Dixons and Comet are also offering savings on selected wide-screen TVs and DVD players. It is advisable to check the press for all their latest deals, price-pledge policies and interest-free credit facilities, which can make comparisons of the headline prices difficult.

The major department stores, too, are offering great sale bargains this season. Debenhams' home entertainment department is taking up to £300 off selected wide-screen TVs. The House of Fraser audio sale includes a Kenwood NV301 mini hi-fi reduced from £329.99 to £266.99.

The audio and home entertainment department at Harrods is ideal for those wanting to purchase top-of-the-range brands such as Linn and Loewe, which is offering up to 10 per cent off selected models. Nakamichi will be reducing some of its goods by up to 10 per cent, which will include the Sound Space range sold in Selfridges. Selected Bang & Olufsen shops are reducing some display items from their range by 5-10 per cent.

There's also an unheard of 20 per cent off the Dyn Audience range loudspeakers, with prices starting from £320 a pair. Another specialist shop, Seven Oaks, has some truly great offers: a Pioneer PDR 509 mini disc-player reduced to £200 from £270, a Marantz DR600 CDR at £349 from £500, and the most wanted Philips PF9952 42in Plasma screen with tuner priced at £7,000 which would normally cost £8,500.

Visionery, the Plasma specialist shop, will be selling ex-display models from as little as £4,500 for a 42in screen. Shasonic, one of the biggest electronic stores in Tottenham Court Road, has an offer on a Philips 775 twin-tray CDR unit, which is reduced by £100 to £249.99.

The audiophiles' old favourite, Richer Sounds, is having a massive discount sale, too. You will be able to walk away with a DVD player for less than £100, and there is a Kenwood KRFV 5030 Dolby Digital home cinema system amplifier reduced to £119.95 from £199.95. It has also reduced the Mission 700 speakers to £59.99 a pair with a saving of £70, and a Technics SLPG390 CD player originally costing £89.95 is down to £49.95.