Retailers expect big turn-out for sales

The New Year sales begin in hundreds of shops around the country today.

Retailers expect long queues of shoppers who are hungry for bargains.

Some British-owned stores opened at 5am this morning, while many indigenous retailers won't open their doors until midday.

Discounts of up to 50% are on offer.

But Dermot Jewel of the Consumers' Association has warned that many bargains aren't as good as they appear.

He recommends that shoppers ensure that the goods are significantly reduced and that the items have been on sale previously in that store.

He also recommends that people not use their credit cards for sales unless they are able to pay off the balance at the end of the month.

He said that otherwise it is not worth the extra expense with interest rates.