DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH STREET; STORES SLASH PRICES FOR CHRISTMAS.Byline: Lee-Ann Fullerton SCOTS shoppers have forced high street stores to slash their prices in the run-up to Christmas. Consumers are refusing to part with their cash and pay top whack for goods. The retail sector has admitted defeat and started winter sales early in a bid to get shoppers to spend. The Scottish Retail Consortium yesterday hailed the move as a major victory for punter power. A spokeswoman said: 'It will definitely be a great Christmas for consumers and one of the best for bargains. Consumer confidence is high but retailers are losing their nerve in the run-up to Christmas. 'They are so keen to get shoppers that they are using incentives,well before the December rush. 'It's great news for customers because the retailers are vying for their business and will do anything to get them through their doors. 'And shoppers are wising up because they know they can get things much cheaper if they leave it later.' Yesterday, Marks and Spencer slashed prices for one day by 20 per cent on clothes, lingerie, homewear and food. TJ Hughes have cut their prices even further. Index have reduced the cost of kids' toys by 50 per cent while Argos have marked down hairdryers, straighteners and shavers by up to half too. DIY DIY abbr. do-it-yourself DIY or d.i.y. Brit, Austral & NZ do-it-yourself DIY abbr DIY do it yourself a DIY shop/job. store Focus have cut power tools by 20 per cent. WH Smith have a raft of buy one, get one free "Buy one, get one free" is a common form of sales promotion. While rarely presented to customers in acronym form, this marketing technique is universally known in the marketing industry by the acronym BOGOF offers and Powerhouse have 15 per cent off all electrical gifts. These so called 'guerrilla sales' leave consumers holding all the trump cards for Christmas. And it bodes well for the January sales too. The Retail Consortium spokeswoman said: 'The January sales will still happen but they will very much depend on how Christmas goes. 'If it doesn't go well, consumers will see even bigger bargains in the New Year and the sale prices will be slashed even further then.' The early sales have sparked a rush at shopping centres. In GLASGOW, the St Enoch Centre The St. Enoch Centre is a shopping mall located in the central area of Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. Construction began in 1986, and the building was opened to the public in May 1989. The Architects were the GMW Partnership. had an eight per cent growth in visitors at the weekend compared with this time last year. Senior business manager John Walton People named John Walton include:
The city's Buchanan Galleries say their stores' early sales have also upped visitor levels. Customer service manager Annette Paterson said: 'Many stores are now starting their sales much earlier in order to retain their competitive edge and this can only be good news for the consumer. 'Our retailers are reporting increased trading levels.' On the outskirts of the city, Braehead Shopping Centre is also busy. Manager Peter Beagley said: 'Braehead is enjoying a very successful Christmas so far. Our lights were switched on early in November and the mall has become busier every week, particularly at pay weekend.' In EDINBURGH, shoppers rushed to one-day sales by Marks& Spencer and offers from WH Smith in the Gyle Centre. A spokeswoman for the Gyle said: 'The centre is so busy it is chaotic. Individual stores are running special promotions and we have had to double staff in our car parks and the precinct to cope.' Shoppers were also out in force at the city's St James Centre. A spokeswoman said: 'We've been busy since the middle of November and it looks as though there will be a steady increase in spending right up to the fortnight before Christmas, when it becomes manic.' Brian Smillie, of the city's George Street Association, said: 'I think the customers are in need of a bit of encouragement this year. But the word on the street is that traders seem to be doing OK.' In ABERDEEN, sales also had shoppers swamping St Nicholas Street in the city centre. E&M's department store had its own one-day Christmas special and was offering 25 per cent off everything in its Christmas shop and up to 20 per cent in other departments. The Bon Accord Bon Accord may refer to:
One shop boss admitted: 'It will be a great month if it carries on like this.' Stores in DUNDEE described business as 'manic' with wall-to-wall shoppers cashing in on cuts. A spokeswoman for Marks& Spencer's Murraygate store said the Christmas spirit had taken hold thanks to the one day20 per cent reduction policy. The Overgate Centre The Overgate Centre is a shopping centre in Dundee, Scotland. It was originally opened in the 1960's but was completely refurbished and some demolition work carried out to demolish the Angus Hotel. The centre was formally reopened in 2000. was 'hectic' and almost all the parking spaces were full in the city. Net a bargain IF you don't want to brave the crowds at the sales you could go on-line and snap up a bargain by shopping on American websites. We tried out Amazon.com for books, CDs and an iPod. #London Bridges, by James Patterson
HMV High Mobility Vehicle HMV High Mileage Vehicle HMV High Molecular Weight HMV Heavy Maintenance Visit HMV Hazardous Materials Vault (military vault for dangerous materials) HMV Heavy Military Vehicle ) Shipping pounds 3.60#Apple 20 GB iPod US price from pounds 109 UK price pounds 219 (Curry's) Shipping pounds 4 OUR BEN' S TOP CRIMBO CRACKERS This is what he plundered from the sales:BEN SPENCER took to the high street to find top gifts at low prices. He was looking for some seasonal steals for his mum and dad, 14--year-old niece.-year-oldmum and dad, 14--year-old niece. He was even hoping to find the perfect gift for his girlfriend... all on the cheap. #Gift: Remote--controlled Porsche GT For: Brother From: Marks and Spencer Old Price: pounds 59 New Price: pounds 47.20 Saving: pounds 11.80 #Gift: Carolina Herrera New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Perfume 100ml For: GirlfriendFrom: Debenhams Old Price: pounds 43 New Price: pounds 29.75 Saving: pounds 13.25 #Gift: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea gift set For: Mum From: Debenhams Old Price: pounds 29 New Price: pounds 14.50 Saving: pounds 14.50#Gift: Lexmark Photo PrinterFor: Dad From: Dixons Old Price: pounds 79.99 New Price: pounds 39.99 Saving: pounds 40.00 #Gift: Bratz Semi Soft Skates For: Niece From: Index Old Price: pounds 24.99 New Price: pounds 16.66 Saving: pounds 8.33 CAPTION(S): BUSY: Marks & Spencer had a special one-day discount of 20 per cent; BARGAINS: Reporter Ben |
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