Bargain hunters flock to post-Christmas sales

LONDON — Shoppers thronged London's top stores on Monday hunting for bargains in the post-Christmas sales, with former supermodel Jerry Hall helping to open proceedings at Harrods.Mick Jagger's ex-wife and her daughter Lizzy arrived at the renowned department store in London's exclusive Knightsbridge district in a horse-drawn carriage before starting the countdown to the start of the sale.Queues formed outside Harrods and other shops on the main Oxford Street shopping thoroughfare in central London as early as 6:00 am to grab the best offers in the clearance sales.Shops said the most popular items were widescreen TV sets, with analysts noting a rush to purchase 'big-ticket' items before the rate of VAT, or sales tax, rises from 17.5 percent to 20 percent on January 4.That was supported by figures for the week ending on December 25, Christmas Day, which showed sales of just over £97 million for the John Lewis chain of department stores, up 30 percent on last year.With Monday a bank holiday, the sales rush was also on in other cities.Tim Walley, general manager at the Bullring centre in Birmingham, said: "During Bank Holiday Monday we expect to see in the region of 200,000 shoppers visit."Meanwhile Manchester's Arndale Centre reported "phenomenal" trading, with more than 150,000 visitors. "There's some significant offers on high-ticket merchandise, plasma and flat screen TVs selling for under £400 -- silly prices," said general manager Glen Barkworth."With VAT increasing in a few days time the retailers are gearing themselves up to take advantage, they have purchased in bulk and the public are willing to buy." Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

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