THE number of Boxing Day shoppers in Liverpool One rose by almost a fifth this year.
Figures from midday yesterday showed an 18% rise in people at the shopping centre compared to last year.
The shopping centre’s car parks were full by noon as bargain-hunters rushed to grab the best buys.
There had also been a 20% rise in last-minute shoppers in the centre on Christmas Eve compared to 2011, as some stores started their sales the day before Christmas.
Early indications showed fashion and homeware departments were the most popular among bargain hunters.
About 90% of the stores in the centre had sales on yesterday with most of them offering up to half-price discounts on selected products.
Bosses were expecting the busy period to continue after shops saw a 28% rise in gift cards sold this year.
Liverpool One estate director Chris Bliss said: “Early indications have shown a promising start to the post-Christmas sales, which is expected to lead to a strong period of trade well into the first week of January.
“If trade continues to this level, we should see a week as busy as the seven days preceding Christmas.”
Bosses at Liverpool City Central Business Improvement District (BID), which includes Bold Street, Church Street and Clayton Square did not have figures for Boxing Day but said footfall in December was down slightly on last year.
However, it was still the second highest foo fall , behind 2011, since 2005.
During December, 7.4m footflows have been recorded, compared to 7.8m last year.
