Tills jingle as the sales lure shoppers
Department stores, electrical retailers and other high street outlets which opened yesterday, all reported increased sales on 2010 figures — an unsurprising result given the sharp contrast in weather conditions.
A day of mild sunshine helped to lure thousands of shoppers out of their beds to catch the best of the bargains with many stores offering discounts ranging from 25% up to 70% off normal retail price.
Overall it is estimated that the post-Christmas sales period this year will be one of the busiest in recent times as retailers are offering higher than usual discounts to clear old stock, while customers have been holding back on spending in preparation for the sales.
However, retail experts predict today will be even busier with an estimated 700,000 shoppers due to spend around €120 million at the tills.
Prof Joshua Bamfield of the Centre for Retail Research in Britain said studies on Irish shoppers led them to believe that today would be the biggest spending day of the year — even higher than “Panic Saturday” on December 17.
“People have been waiting for the sales and will spend now rather than before Christmas,” said Prof Bamfield, who estimated the average shopper would spend €171 at the sales today.
Brown Thomas yesterday reported brisk trading at its outlets across the country with sales at its flagship stores in Dublin up about 20%. Across the River Liffey in Arnotts, more than 300 people had gathered outside the Henry St store before it opened, including Saoirse McElvaney from Blanchardstown, who started queuing at 5pm on Christmas Day.
One of the main attractions for customers of the store’s winter sale was 70% off handbags from designers like Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood and Moschino, from the newly revamped accessories hall in Arnotts.
Arnotts retail director Leesa Kavanagh said the store was delighted with the positive response of customers to the official start of its winter sale.
“The dry sunny weather certainly brought customers out earlier and footfall is tracking up on last year.”
Male shoppers were also catered for, with savings of up to 50% in the technology department. Among the deals was a Panasonic 65-inch 3D TV reduced from its normal price of €4,999 to €2,499.
In Clery’s on O’Connell St, a group of about 20 people were outside the store for its 9am opening, including one individual who had reportedly begun a vigil on Christmas Eve to avail of some of the store’s €1 bargains.
The main magnet for such devoted shoppers was a limited number of top-of-the range beds, including a Sleep Spa divan which normally retails at €1,999 going for €1.
Other bargains included a Delta sofa usually priced at €1,050 being reduced to €50.
“Trade is definitely up this Christmas and there was good positivity among shoppers today which added a great buzz to the store,” said a spokesperson for Clery’s.
In Cork, retailers also slashed prices by 50%-70% in a bid to entice shoppers into stores in the city.
Debenhams on Saint Patrick’s St said business was extremely brisk from the moment the store opened at 8am.
Next at Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork said the decision to open its store at 6am had proven a major attraction with shoppers lined up in advance of its doors being opened to avail of bargains like those on coats, marked down from €160 to €70.
