LIVERPOOL One has seen rocketing sales smashing the UK average for the past few days.

The shopping centre saw a 48% increase in the number of people hitting the shops on Boxing Day, compared to only an 18.5% increase across the country, as provided by Experian.

The numbers boosted year-on-year sales by 79.8%.

Figures comparing Sunday, December 28, 2008, with Sunday, December 27 this year show a 76% footfall increase compared with only 18% nationally, boosting sales overall by 59.8%.

Habitat, which opened its first store in the city earlier this month, is reporting strong trading figures, with most sales in beds and bedroom accessories.

John Lewis has also seen positive sales after introducing special clearance lines to its Liverpool One store.

Michelle Woolnoth, operations manager, said: “We’ve had an incredible reaction to the clearance.

“Popular sellers include linen, cookshop items, furniture, beds and televisions.”

Aintree’s Taskers is celebrating matching last Christmas’s sales figures as the store looks ahead to its busiest weeks in January.

Store manager John Shannon, said: “It’s pretty quiet at the moment, as it usually is immediately after Christmas.