Centre expects Boxing Day record

Shoppers queued at stores across the UK

Bargain hunters were out in force in the North West as sales got under way at some of the UK's biggest retailers.

The Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester was expecting about 130,000 shoppers - a new Boxing Day record.

Queues began forming at about 0500 GMT, with Next, Mango, Debenhams, Selfridges and John Lewis all filling up within minutes of doors opening at 0900 GMT.

In Liverpool, it appeared city centre roadworks had not put off shoppers as feared with shops seeing a brisk trade.

Retail market monitor FootFall said the number of visits made to high street shops before Christmas fell 40% compared to 2005.

It said fewer people bought last-minute presents - they were down 43% - but said this was partly due to Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, with limited opening hours.

Money spent

Trafford Centre bosses said they had not been hit by the reported sales slump over the festive period.

Spokeswoman Lucy Sharp said: "It has been a slower start to the Christmas period, but once started people have definitely had money to spend - and have been spending a terrific amount."

One of the only John Lewis stores to open on Boxing Day was at the centre, and its managing director Maggie Porteous said more than 100 people were waiting outside for the opening.

She said china, glass, linens and women's fashions were expected to be their best sellers.

"This is the second year we have opened on Boxing Day. We have reductions of up to 50% on some goods," said Ms Porteous.

"There were around 50 people waiting at our china and glass department this morning, and lots more at our other six entrances."

Four out of five people will buy something in the winter sales, a survey has suggested.

The HSBC Sales Survey found 86% of women will take part in the post-Christmas sales, compared with 85% of men.