Prices slashed as online hits sales in shops

RETAILERS are hoping for a post-Christmas rush this week as prices are slashed in the sales.

Shops across South West Wales are offering heavy discounts to make up for the dent to sales caused by plummeting pre-Christmas temperatures and heavy snow.

People are also expected to snap up bargains before the VAT increase from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent on January 4.

The fact Boxing Day falls on a Sunday meant trading hours were restricted to six hours yesterday.

And many people were also expected to browse for items from the comfort of their own home — online — to avoid the freezing conditions.

But yesterday in Swansea, almost every shop in the Swansea Quadrant shopping centre was open and ready to welcome those desperate to get out of the house and do some serious shopping.

Nigel Poulton, Sunday operations manager at the Quadrant, said of their 37 stores, just three were closed yesterday.

Speaking yesterday, he said: "In comparison to last year it is not as busy. It is a combination of factors — one is the Sunday opening hours and the other is the road conditions.

"The main roads are fine but people can't get out of the side roads.

"Last year was manic, but then Debenhams was open 7am to 7pm." But he did think trade would pick-up through the week.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it picks up on Monday because then you have the sales proper and you have a full day of opening."

Debenhams, which has stores in the Quadrant, along with Llanelli and Carmarthen, was opening from 10am to 4pm.

Swansea manager Nigel Stopher said: "We allowed an hour's browsing only at 9am and when we opened at 9am a good 50 to 60 walked through the door which is quite good.

"We have got up to 70 per cent off and some good offers on coats."

He said people had done their best to reach the shops and he did not expect this week to be any different.

"I think people have made a lot of efforts. The first day of the snow was a challenge but since then a lot of people have made efforts to get out and about. They are certainly finding their way into town."

Some shops, including Next, which has branches across the region, stayed shut yesterday.

But Next, which sells clothing and homewares, was due to open at 5am and big queues were expected at the popular annual price-cut.

According to comparison website, moneysupermarket.com, this year's Boxing Day sales were expected to be the biggest ever, with the UK set to spend �323 million online in a single day.

postnews@swwmedia.co.uk

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