While in previous years, sales have traditionally started on Boxing Day, shoppers will not have to wait that long this year to bag a bargain. Many retailers have already started discounting online, even before presents have been handed out for Christmas Day.
Amazon and Sainsbury’s have already both begun slashing prices on their websites by up to 88 per cent and Debenhams, John Lewis and House of Fraser are all set to start their own discounting today, for Christmas Eve.
According to retail experts, millions of Britons will spend a chunk of their Christmas break looking for bargains online. It is predicted that collectively, they could spend as much as £9 billion.
While physical stores are closed on Christmas Day, the increase in the popularity of online shoppig means that many people choose to look at the sales after their Christmas Day lunch, rather than waiting for the Queen’s speech or playing board games. It is predicted that retailers will take record amounts this Christmas Day.
The Centre for Retail Research says it expects that £3.8 billion will be spent on Boxing Day, and a further £3.76 billion will then be spent from Tuesday to Thursday. The sales spending spree has already started, with a total of £9 billion due to be spent.
While Christmas is traditionally a time for spending with families, the rise in online shopping means that bargain hunters can still shop around while being at home with relatives. Retail analyst Justin Opie said that while Christmas Day might not seen an immediately obvious time for shopping, it had actually become an important day for online shopping day in Britain. As well as those looking for a sales bargain, many people receive gift cards for Christmas and will be looking at what they can buy, as well as downloading books or music, for example.
