Tills jingle as the sales lure shoppers

THE welcome sound of jingle bells was heard across the land on St Stephen’s Day as the ringing of cash registers signalled the start of the annual post-Christmas sales frenzy.

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.