Retailers expect more bumper sales today as the ‘busiest week of the year’ continues after ‘record-breaking’ Boxing Day trade.

Stores across Shropshire and Mid Wales reported a bumper day of sales yesterday as thousands of shoppers rushed to grab a bargain.

Business was booming at Telford Shopping Centre when shoppers were able to bag a bargain from 6am. Car parks were packed as people descended on the centre.

Richard Martin, store manager at Debenhams in Telford, said there were between 50 and 60 people queuing outside waiting for it to open at 7am.

He said: “It’s really positive. We have started extremely well. Part of that is because last year Boxing Day was on a Sunday. This year with it being on a Monday it means longer opening hours.”

In Shrewsbury, retailers said they were hoping for higher sales than in 2010.

Russell Hall, operations manager for the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “Last year on Boxing Day we attracted over 15,000 shoppers to the Darwin and Pride Hill Centres and indications this year are that that figure could be exceeded.”

Karen Morris, manager of Rackhams department store, reported customers queueing from the early morning to pick up discount items.

She added: “It was quite different last year because it was a Sunday and Sunday trade is quite difficult in Shrewsbury. It should be a much better day than last year.”

Meanwhile Craig Davies, deputy manager of Sainsbury’s in Meole Brace Retail Park in Shrewsbury also reported queues outside the shop yesterday as people waiting to take advantage of a half price sale on many non-food items.

He added: “There were more than 20 people waiting to enter the store at 10am. We started our sales on Christmas Eve and many electrical items are now half price.

“As a store we have had a very buoyant Christmas period and we are pleased about how successful it has been.”

Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre said it expected nearly a million visitors this week while upmarket department store Selfridges said it enjoyed record first-hour sales despite yesterday’s London Tube strike.

Selfridges confirmed that it had beaten Boxing Day records set in 2009 – with trade at its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham up by 15 per cent on the same day two years ago.