Sales hit fever pitch – despite ‘slowdown’

Dec 28 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

sales

BARGAIN hunters raced around Liverpool city centre yesterday as retailers slashed their prices to attract customers in the post Christmas rush.

Despite some traders reporting a slow morning, the city was bustling by mid-afternoon, with customers taking advantage of the savings on offer.

With the run-up to Christmas generally perceived as slow, many chains opened yesterday hoping to attract shoppers amid signs of economic slowdown.

But many retailers in Liverpool claim to have had a successful festive period and say the sales have got off to a great start.

John Turner, manager of Marks and Spencer in Church Street, said: “We opened at 8am and it has been busy from the off. We are operating at full capacity, but everyone is in good spirits.”

Ed Oliver, deputy chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and manager of Clayton Square shopping centre, said: “It was a bit of a slow start but by mid-afternoon it was lively and there were a lot of people about.”

Among traders opening their doors yesterday was John Lewis.

The national chain announced 2007 has been its “best Christmas ever”, with sales of more than £100m for the second week in a row in the seven days to December 22.