Woolies joins Xmas sale fever

Woolworths today became the latest High Street name to bring an early Christmas present to beleaguered shoppers by announcing it was slashing up to 50 per cent off its prices.

The half price sale brought bargain hunters out in force to towns across Shropshire and Mid Wales despite the gloom of the credit crunch.

A price cut and late opening hours at M&S yesterday also saw the tills jingling across the region.

Shoppers were this morning waiting outside the Woolies branch in Oswestry hoping to grab some bargains.

Shopper Carol Morris, of Oswestry, said: "I feel it's the heart of the town. It will be such a shame if it has to close."

Brian Taylor, and his wife Marie, also of Oswestry, were also queuing. He said: "My daughter phoned us up and said there was a sale on and because she is at work she asked us to come down and see what they have got."

Stores in Shrewsbury and Wellington reported being busy just after doors had opened.

The massive discounting drive by Woolworths administrator Deloitte, comes the day after an unsuccessful bid by Dragons' Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis for Woolworths which would have seen the retention of the Woolworths name and acquisition of a large slice of the retail business.

Neville Kahn, from Deloitte, said it had hired additional staff to cope with increased demand and moved extra goods to all stores.

"There is continuing interest in the business and the sale will continue whilst potential buyers finalise their plans for the purchase of the business," he said.

Highlights of the sale will include up to 50 per cent off toys - a huge draw for shoppers working on behalf of Santa. There will also be 30 per cent off Christmas trees and decorations, 50 per cent off all greeting cards, 20 per cent off personal gifts and reductions on all entertainment products.

The sale follows a 20 per cent price cut yesterday at M&S which led to long queues in its county stores.

Shoppers stood in line for up to half an hour at M&S in Telford Town Centre yesterday to pay. Debenhams and many other stores also had major money-off offers swelling visitor figures.

Telford Town Centre manager Tracy Hadley said 54,500 shoppers visited the centre yesterday - 8,600 up on the previous Thursday.

By Sue Austin