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| Christmas sales |
DING dong merrily on i —shoppers can feast on a load of bargains on CHRISTMAS DAY as desperate stores launch their sales online.
Stores like Asda, Currys, PC World and Dixons are are all slashing prices as we tuck into turkey—24 hours ahead of the usual start of the sales on Boxing Day.
But John Lewis will be an even earlier bird, launching its online bargains on CHRISTMAS EVE, two days before the beginning of its sales in store.
Competition is also hotting up on the High Street as shops under pressure from poor sales due to the credit crunch chop their prices.
It means this year’s festive sales are set to be the biggest ever—and today the News of the World reveals where you can snap up the best bargains from Boxing Day.
HOUSE OF FRASER will launch its bonanza with up to 70 per cent off. Selected stores will open from 8am to 9pm.
Top fashion brands such as Ben Sherman, Ted Baker and French Connection will be half price in JOHN LEWIS.
SELFRIDGES is also launching an in-store half price sale, saving shoppers hundreds on goods ranging from Ralph Lauren suits to kitchenware. BOOTS will also have up to 50 per cent off some beauty products and toys, including Bob the Builder, Barbie and High School Musical favourites.
Gadget lovers will be able to cash in too because Apple is chopping the cost of the popular iPhone—bringing it to under £200.
And SUPERDRUG will lop up to 90 per cent off its prices from Christmas Eve.
It is reducing the cost of a whopping 24,000 products—so bargain hunters will be able to pick up some items for just 10 PENCE.
Supermarkets are also breaking with tradition by opening their stores early. They usually shut on Christmas and Boxing Days to give staff a two-day break.
But this year Tesco will open 189 stores on December 26, Asda will have 46 shops open and Sainsbury’s will have 36.
The record number of pre-Christmas sales showed that retailers are desperate to lure in shoppers following a downturn in consumer spending.
Retail expert Jonathan De Mello said: "It is brilliant for shoppers because they can go out and get a bargain. It’s going to force the retailers to discount even further."
Economist Vicky Redwood said: "Christmas is supposed to be a busy time but retailers will have to cut their prices even more in January—so shoppers should expect to see up to 90 per cent off in some cases."
But experts warn the price war on the high street could drive smaller shops out of business after squeezing their profit margins too far.
Andrew Garbutt, retail director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: "Everywhere you look on the High Street there is a sale on.
"But it’s not just about getting people in the store, it’s about getting consumers in profitably."
The Federation of Small Businesses forecast that 2,800 firms would go bust in a month from mid-December.
Spokesman Stephen Alambritis said: "This is the mother of all Christmases for small businesses. It really is make or break time."
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