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Millions of shoppers hit the high street for the busiest shopping weekend of the year – and stores are now preparing for a boom in trade in a six-day spending frenzy before Christmas Day.
More shoppers splashed the cash over the weekend than compared to the same time in 2010, when after the heavy snow affected trade, retailers today said. It is believed about 11 million Brits went shopping.
Two of Telford’s largest supermarkets, Sainsbury’s and Asda, reported thousands of shoppers had poured through their doors on Saturday and yesterday as customers stocked up on festive essentials – with alcohol and meat top of shopping lists.
A packed car park at the Forge Retail shopping site in Telford
Ian Sutton, manager at Sainsbury’s in Colliers Way, said: “We had a storming weekend and we took more money on Saturday than we did on Friday.
“Yesterday we were ahead of our expectations. Alcohol is selling well and customers have been very savvy around offers.”
Marc Lees, deputy store manager at Asda in Donnington, Telford, said: “It has been busier than expected. Fresh meat has been doing very well, as well as all our Christmas lines.”
But it is not only food stores which have cashed in on the last full weekend before the big day.
Sandra Humphries, manager at the House of Fraser in Telford Shopping Centre, said: “It was a good day yesterday. I am hoping to see even more people in the coming days.”
Alison Clarkson, manager of the Early Learning Centre in Shrewsbury’s Pride Hill Shopping Centre, said figures were distorted as the shop closed early in 2010 because of the snow.
Some retailers however are yet to experience the full onslaught.
Craven Arms butcher Dan Magill, from DW Wall & Son, said: “I think most people were out shopping for presents rather than food.
“This week will be different though. We have 300 orders and they are all picking them up at the end of the week.”
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