Thousands of shoppers flocked to the Boxing Day sales yesterday to grab a bargain and the fight continues today as people continue to hunt for those post-Christmas bargains. Isaac Crowson and Ella Rhodes report.
The Bennett's winter sale opened today with a queue of people gathering outside the Irongate store. Ian McMillen, retail director at Bennett's, said trade had been brisk since the store opened for its winter sale at 10am. He said: "We had a queue at the front of the shop on Irongate this morning and there's lots of genuine bargains on offer. "Things that have been selling particularly well are fashion accessories and Christmas decorations. "Our number of transactions so far today are comparable with last year." The store is offering 50% off many of its Christmas ranges including lights, trees, candles, decorations and ceramics including Cath Kidston and Dunoon. There are also many other discounts on non-Christmas stock throughout the departments of Bennetts including 50% off Horwoods pans and T&G woodware and ceramics. Traffic leading in and out of the city centre was very busy earlier as people made their way to the sales. Westfield released the amazing fact that it saw 3.9 million visitors since Christmas officially launched on November 9 with 1.3 million in the final 12 days of Christmas.Yesterday some shoppers arrived at 2.45am to be the first to bag a bargain.
Queues for Next stretched right across the Westfield shopping centre yesterday and stayed in place for several hours.
Today, the Westfield Centre is still very busy. Crowds are also building in the city centre today with many shops, including Primark, still offering chances to grab a bargain.On Boxing Day, the Westfield centre's coffee shops opened at 3am to serve the sleep-deprived shoppers.
Jasmine Young, of Weston Park Avenue, Shelton Lock, was among those who arrived at 2.45am. The 22-year-old said: "I get here every year for the sales because of the great prices.
"I got up at 2am but I really enjoy it because I save loads. There is a great adrenaline rush to it as well."
However Joyce Kantchowa, 36, of Normanton, did not enjoy herself.
She said: "I didn't have a good time because of the queues being so long. I was here at 6am and I still needed quite a few things."
Gillian Whitehirst, 55, of Sinfin, arrives early every year to catch a Boxing Day bargain and plan for the year ahead. She said: "I got here at 4am and really enjoy doing it every year.
"I was shopping for my kids and friends, as I like to get presents for next year.
"It's good to have them because it saves a lot of money and there is method in my madness.
"When I arrived, there was about 300 people in front of us to get into Next. The security had to move a few people."
This year, the sales started even earlier online, with outlets including Amazon, Argos and Marks and Spencer offering early bargains.
However, Gillian insisted that online shopping would never replace the real thing.
She said: "I did a bit of online shopping to start, but it's not the same. There is a real buzz and excitement around on Boxing Day."
Kate Taylor, of Allestree, has been coming to the Boxing Day sales for ten years. The 44-year-old said: "I really love the great atmosphere of the sales.
"Me and the family were here at 5.30am and I really enjoy it. I was here to mostly buy clothes and shoes, and to spot a bargain. It's a seasonal tradition that I like to do it."
Customers also raced to the Boxing Day opening of Lee Longlands, at the old Co-op store in East Street.
Store manager, Darren Varney, said the shop had 50 customers in the first 10 minutes.
He said: "We had a very good day and have taken money in the right places.
"Furniture and beds did especially well. The customers have been very complimentary to us."
Bus company Trent Barton said it was running services to the sales so customers could avoid parking queues.
