The January sales have enjoyed something of a long weekend after a run-up to Christmas that left some shop owners with little to cheer about.

The post-Christmas sales now get underway on Boxing Day and the chance to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday out bargain hunting tempted many Britons out of their homes this year.

Shopping centres again saw large crowds on Sunday, although overall takings were lower because it was a shorter day.

Heather Hudson-Oldnall, marketing manager at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, said: "On the first day of the sales on Saturday we had 150,000 people through the centre. It will be the single busiest day of the year and possibly a record for sales.

"We were very busy again today, but sales will be less good."

Retailers reported slack trade for most of the period leading up to Christmas, although a last minute rush in the final week went some way to making up for it.

But a busy sales period will benefit both buyers and sellers. One of the hot items over the weekend has been winter clothes.

Ms Hudson-Oldnall said: "They held on to their clothes because of the mild weather. Now they are selling them because of the big reductions on offer."

The MetroCentre in Gateshead near Newcastle also enjoyed one of the busiest Sundays of the year.

Duty centre manager Tom Hopper said: "Saturday was one of our busiest days ever and today is looking pretty good for a Sunday.

"We won't be far away from 80 to 90,000 people today, even with the bad weather."
 

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