Bargain Seekers

Shoppers are ignoring the recession and had a £5billion Christmas spending spree this weekend as nearly half the population hunt for last-­minute gifts. The nation’s high-street tills rang up sales of more than £3 billion yesterday up by £1 billion in comparison with the same day last ­Christmas. Retail experts are predicting another £2 billion will be spent today as the big retail chains launch their January sales two weeks early, offering huge discounts of up to 50%.

Braving the freezing weather conditions yesterday, bargain seekers flooded into shopping centres right across Britain looking to snap up any bargains going, anything from more toys for the children to flatscreen provided they had freeview of course.

By 11am, car parks at many of Britain’s biggest regional shopping centres, ­including Lakeside in Thurrock, Essex, and the Metrocentre in ­Gateshead, were ­overflowing.

The cost of digital ­cameras, iPods and ­laptops have been slashed, and John Lewis ­reported record sales of TVs and home cinema ­systems – up 21 per cent on last Christmas.

Fashion chains ­including ­Oasis, Hobbs and Warehouse have cut prices by 50 per cent on selected items while others, such as Dorothy Perkins, are offering 25 per cent off.

With VAT due to revert to 17.5% on 1st January many are getting in ahead of the increase and saving the difference.

On the dark side there is a fear that some people will be overstretching themselves and will end up seeking debt advice in the new year.

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