Dedicated shoppers are gearing up for a day of bargain hunting throughout the UK as some of the biggest January sales for years get under way.

Stores around around the country have slashed their prices, with many more following on Saturday.

Despite a last minute surge before Christmas many retailers are likely to be faced with piles of stock to shift after slack sales early in December.

The Centre for Economic Business Research has estimated that up to £6.7bn could be spent in the non-food sector in the January sales, which is a 9% increase on last year.

Clothing and shoe shops are likely to see the biggest cuts, with prices on course to fall far more than usual between December and January.

John Hirst, spokesman for the Broadmead Board, which represents more than 400 shops in the Bristol area, said: "We expect it to be absolutely amazing ... nowadays people get more cash as gifts and after treating others over Christmas they have a chance to give themselves a present."

Sales have already begun at Laura Ashley, Warehouse, Dolcis and Ravel, Debenhams, Comet and B&Q.

On Saturday they get under way at Oasis, Kookai, Joseph, Top Shop, Next, Monsoon, Accessorize, River Island, Sock Shop, Burton, Knickerbox, Marks & Spencer, Habitat and Heals.
 

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