Retailers boosted by brisk Boxing Day sales

Saturday, 27 December 2003 5:54 AM

Many department stores set a new precedent yesterday by opening their doors on Boxing Day.

Many stores on London's busy Oxford Street opened up for business on the holiday for the first time.

Selfridges, Debenhams, Dixons, PC World and Argos also followed suit this year.

Hundreds of thousands flocked to the high street enticed by cut price deals, some as high as 70 per cent.

DVDs, digital cameras and camcorders were among the most sought after items.

The Trafford Centre in Manchester reported 120,000 visitors yesterday, with 3,500 shoppers arriving by 0330GMT.

Retailers hope Boxing Day sales will counterbalance sluggish pre-Christmas sales.

David Southwell, spokesman for the British Retail Consortium, said: "For a lot of people, Boxing Day has become like any other bank holiday. Shopping is seen as a leisure activity and many will be out and looking for bargains."

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