Bargain hunters brave the elements as sales season swings into action

AFTER a two-day break, the tills will be ringing again early this morning as the sales season swings into action and the second half of the €5 billion December-January spend begins.

Most major stores and retailers took an extra day off this year, instead of opening their doors to bargain hunters on St Stephen’s Day. But shoppers are expected to start spending what little cash they have left after the Christmas splurge from early this morning, as discounts, giveaways and bargains take over the minds of the nation.

Many furniture and electrical stores are guaranteed plenty customers when they unlock the doors.

Among those queuing overnight were three gentlemen who lined up early yesterday to assure themselves of the best bargains at the Reid Furniture store in Sligo, which is being opened this morning by

X Factor contestants The Conway Sisters. But it’s the reductions for the first three customers that attracted Padraig Boland from Tubbercurry to take up position around lunchtime on Christmas Day, in the hope of picking up a suite of furniture and a bed.

“The ad in the local papers said the first customer was would get €2,000 worth of goods for €200 so I said it would be worthwhile. My wife, Marian, came down on Christmas night and took over for a while, and I’ll be here now until opening time.”

Also on overnight duties was Michael Howley from Strandhill, Sligo, who aims to pay just €150 for a €1,500 bedroom suite for his new family home.

At Clery’s in Dublin, the first 100 entrants will receive a free Irish breakfast, but probably not before they’ve availed of bargains such as hoovers for €10 and one €1,500 luxury divan on offer for just €499.