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Boxing Day sales LIVE: Best UK deals as Amazon, Boots, Ninja, Lush and Dyson slash prices

Bargain hunters are set to make this the biggest Boxing Day for sales shopping in four years.[1] Despite the cost of living crisis, shoppers intend to spend an average of £253 each during this year’s festive discount season, researchers have found.

Individual budgets will be £24 bigger than they were in 2022, with the sales frenzy bringing a much-needed £4.7bn boost to retailers, figures from Barclays have revealed.

Meanwhile, four in five people say that the current financial climate has not affected their shopping budget – a hugely encouraging sign for stores. Clothes, shoes and accessories are the most sought-after products, followed by beauty items.

However, it seems the days of long queues from 5am outside bricks and mortar stores are over, with the figures also showing three out of four of us will be buying online today. Meanwhile, staff are again being given a Boxing Day break at Next, with its in-store sale starting at 6am tomorrow.

Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Retailers will be encouraged by a strong end to the year’s ‘golden quarter’. This year’s findings also indicate that there will be a transformative shift in consumer priorities, as shoppers look to treat themselves after Christmas. Despite rising living costs, people still want to treat themselves and their loved ones.”

You can find out how to grab a bargain here[2]

10:47Kelly-Ann Mills

Only one queue in Liverpool

The Lush sale went live on its website in the early hours of the morning with many people waking up to grab the biggest discounts.

But with some people finding the website a little slower than usual, it seems savvy shoppers in Merseyside had anticipated the delay and opted to shop the sale in person.

The store opened at 9.30am when the rush of Lush fans stormed the shop to get the best bargains.

The rest of Liverpool appeared deserted around the same time this morning.

Read the Liverpool Echo's story here[3]

The queue for Lush on Church Street, Liverpool on Boxing Day ( Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo) 10:37Kelly-Ann Mills

Holiday hack gets you 49 days off work

The start of a New Year[4] is almost upon us, and many of us will be dreaming about a hot and sunny destination to visit in 2024.

Most workers are legally entitled to at least 28 days’ paid annual[5] leave each year. This is the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of holiday. But if you plan your time off carefully, and take advantage of bank holidays[6], you can get 49 days off work by using just 21 days of annual leave.

This trick involves booking your annual leave around the bank holidays and making the most of the weekends either side. Keep in mind these following dates only work if you're employed Monday to Friday and you get bank holidays off as standard. Your employer can include bank holidays as part of your statutory entitlement.

Read the Mirror's Money Editor Levi Winchester[7]'s full story here[8] which shows you which days to book

( Getty Images/iStockphoto) 10:25Kelly-Ann Mills

Which? guide to the sales from cashback to price matching

The consumer group Which?[9] has shared the best ways you can utilise the Boxing Day[10] sales this year.

If you want to grab a bargain in the sales this week, Which? has compiled eight tips which could help bag the best deal and help keep your costs down.

Ele Clark, Which? retail editor said: "If you’re looking for a bargain in the Boxing Day sales, there are steps you can take to keep costs down and ensure you don’t spend more than you need to. Take time to identify the products you really want and check that the ‘deal’ you’re seeing represents a genuine saving. That way, you can be confident that you’ll emerge from the sales with quality products that will last for years to come – and all for a bargain price.”

Read the Mirror's Money Reporter Ruby Flanagan's full report here[11][12]

10:12Kelly-Ann Mills

Online shopping down in run up to Christmas

Mastercard showed physical spending in stores across the festive period was up 3.5% on last year, while online spending had declined by 2.8%.

Restaurant spending sharply increased by 11.4% along with clothing (8.0%) and jewellery (8.3%), according to the research.

The data, shared by Mastercard SpendingPulse for the first time, analysed UK retail spending from November 1 to December 24.

It measured in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment and was not adjusted for inflation. Total UK retail sales were up 2.6% year-on-year, and in-store sales were up 3.5% as shoppers came back to the high street.

Electronic sales were also slightly up by 1.9%, but there was a considerable spike on Cyber Monday, with an increase of 9.2% compared with 2022.

Natalia Lechmanova, senior economist at Europe for Mastercard, said: “The British consumer has been savvy with their spending this year. Although overall retail spend is relatively flat, we’ve seen an increase in spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions when it comes to electronics in particular.

“Shoppers have been willing to splash out for gifts, with spend on jewellery and clothing up considerably year-on-year, but wanted to do so at the right price.

“We’ve also seen a cautiously optimistic return to the high street. British consumers want to celebrate during the festive period, and we’ve seen spend on restaurants increase by over 10% as people continue to value experiences and spending time together post-pandemic.”

09:58Kelly-Ann Mills

City centres quiet start

Some shoppers are out early on Boxing Day, but it appears to be a quiet start here in Nottingham

Shoppers in Nottingham today ( Tom Maddick SWNS) 09:55Kelly-Ann Mills

Top 10 Boxing Day shopping tips

1. Richard Price, money saving expert at Britsuperstore, advises shoppers to draw up a budget before hitting the sales. He adds: “Stick to it as closely as possible to prevent overspending.”

2. Richard also advises making a list of your priority purchases to focus on the most important items first, adding that this can help you avoid impulse buying.

3. Don’t get carried away by buying things because they are cheap and be wary of tempting deals such as buy one, get one half price. It isn’t a bargain if you end up not using the item.

4. The National Cyber Security Centre says shoppers lost over £10m to scams during last year’s festive period. Be vigilant of phishing emails and deals that seem too good to be true. Stick to trusted retailers and secure payment methods such as credit cards.

5. If you use a credit card for any purchases costing between £100 and £30,000, you are protected by your provider if anything goes wrong. Just remember to pay off the full balance before it is due to avoid getting into unnecessary debt.

6. Liz Hunter, director at moneyexpert.com, says if you plan to shop online, download a coupon app or extension such as Honey or VoucherCodes. She adds: “This is much less time-consuming than manually searching for individual codes and could end up saving you a decent amount of money.”

7. Think ahead. Unseasonal summer clothing, such as swimwear or shoes, will often be reduced in the sales, meaning you can pick up a bargain now that you can wear or use in a few months.

8. Today’s sales are a good time to stock up for next Christmas, as items such as cards, decorations and wrapping paper are often hugely reduced.

9. Know your rights. You can return items bought in store or online within 30 days for a full refund. This applies to sales purchases too.

10. A study by Which? found 61% of people have had something go wrong with a festive delivery. If your items don’t turn up, the retailer must issue a refund or replacement.

Read our Consumer Editor Natasha Wynarczy's full story here[13][14]

09:51Kelly-Ann Mills

Which shops are open today

Morrisons

The supermark will re-open on Boxing Day after closing on December 25, but will be open on reduced hours. Make sure to double-check your local branch opening times online to avoid disappointment.

Co op

All Co-op stores were closed for business on Christmas Day. However certain stores are also shut on Boxing Day with reduced hours. Opening times may vary from store to store though, so it is worth double-checking the Co-op store locator[15] before visiting. They tend to be open 9am to 7pm.

ASDA

All Asda stores were closed on Christmas Day. Most will reopen Boxing Day but opening hours may vary from branch-to-branch. In addition, the 24-hour Asda stores may not be opening for 24 hours over the festive period, so to avoid disappointment check before heading out. You can do this using the retailer's store locator tool, here.[16]

Asda's festive opening times are as follows:

  • Christmas Day: Closed
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm

Tesco

All Tesco stores closed on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day most stores are open from 10am to 6pm. However, Tesco's opening hours vary from branch to branch over the festive period, so customers should check the supermarket's store locator, here.[17]

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's stores around the region have been closed on Christmas Day but will open on Boxing Day. Hours may vary, but use the store's website to check what's what with your local.

Smaller "local" stores will resume usual opening hours on Boxing Day - though remember it is a Bank Holiday.

Boots

All Boots stores closed on Christmas Day but the majority will be open on Boxing Day with differing opening times. So if you need any emergency toiletries or beauty essentials over the festive period make sure to check your local stores opening times first.

Most stores will open later than usual but you can check your local times here.[18]

Ikea

Opening times at Ikea stores for Boxing Day are reduced, with most open from 10am to 6pm.

Curry's

Currys is often a good bet for savvy consumers during the post-holiday season who are looking to pick up a Boxing Day bargain. Most Curry's stores reopen on December 26 with normal 9am- 6pm opening hours, however it's always worth checking with your local store before heading out.

Argos

On Boxing Day, standalone Argos stores will open between 9am and 6pm while Argos stores within Sainsbury’s will match the opening hours of the supermarkets they are located in, with most open between 9am and 6pm.

Opening hours can vary though, so customers should check the store locator for the latest details on the Argos website[19]

09:34Kelly-Ann Mills

Queues have been seen

London's shopping hotspot Oxford Street has seen bargain hunters out in force as they are seen queuing before the stores open their doors.

( London News Pictures)

And shoppers have started gathering at the Trafford Centre in Manchester too.

09:16Kelly-Ann Mills

Which retailers are closed today?

Many retailers began to close on Boxing Day during the coronavirus pandemic, to give their staff some well-earned time off and now there are plenty of stores keeping up that tradition in the years that have followed.

So if you're planning on braving the weather and heading out to the shops on Boxing Day, here is a full list of the stores that won't be open - including Aldi, Poundland and The Range.

M&S

M&S will be keeping it doors closed this year on Boxing Day, with stores set to reopen on December 27 from normal opening hours, which is around 9am to 10pm.

Waitrose

Aall Waitrose stores will remained closed on Boxing Day this year.

However, the supermarket has said that those in Welcome Break motorway service stations and Shell forecourts will remain open - with some open for 24 hours.

Aldi

The budget supermarket will close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year in order to give staff a well-deserved rest.

And from December 27, the majority of stores will reopen as normal - although potentially with reduced hours.

Check your local Aldi's opening hours[20]

John Lewis

John Lewis remains closed on Boxing Day, before reopening with its sale on Wednesday, December 27.

Check out the full festive opening times here[21]

Iceland and The Food Warehouse

Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores will remain closed on December 26, according to the supermarket's boss Richard Walker.

The majority of stores will reopen on December 27 from around 9am to 7pm.

Check your local Iceland and Food Warehouse opening hours.[22]

Home Bargains

The budget retailer confirmed back in September that it would be closed on two days this year - Boxing Day[23] and New Year's Day.

Most stores will reopen on December 27 at reduced hours from around 9am to 6pm.

Check your local Home Bargains store opening times.[24]

The Range and Wilko

The Range and Wilko stores will all remain closed this year, with opening hours going back to normal on December 27.

Check your local The Range and Wilko Christmas opening hours[25].

Wickes

The DIY and garden retailer will be closed on Christmas and Boxing Day this year.

Stores will go back to normal operating hours on December 27 from around 7:30am to 7pm.

Poundland

Similar to Home Bargains, Poundland will also be remaining closed on both Boxing Day and New Year's Day in order to give staff a break.

08:55Ryan Merrifield

Barclays shares £253 warning to Brits shopping the Boxing Day sales this year

Barclays has issued a £253 warning to Brits looking to bag a bargain in the Boxing Day sales this week.

Research from the high street bank reveals that shoppers will likely spend more money in sales this year despite the cost of living crisis.

In total, Barclays says the average shopper will part ways with £253 in the festive sales - this is the highest total seen in four years. Across the UK, those participating in the sales are expected to spend nearly £4.7billion overall.

Click here[26] to read the full story

Barlcays says the average Brit will spend £253 in the Boxing Day sales this year ( Bloomberg via Getty Images)

References

  1. ^ the biggest Boxing Day for sales shopping in four years. (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ how to grab a bargain here (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  4. ^ New Year (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ annual (www.mirror.co.uk)
  6. ^ bank holidays (www.mirror.co.uk)
  7. ^ Levi Winchester (www.mirror.co.uk)
  8. ^ here (www.mirror.co.uk)
  9. ^ Which? (www.mirror.co.uk)
  10. ^ Boxing Day (www.mirror.co.uk)
  11. ^ Ruby Flanagan (www.mirror.co.uk)
  12. ^ here (www.mirror.co.uk)
  13. ^ Natasha Wynarczy (www.mirror.co.uk)
  14. ^ full story here (www.mirror.co.uk)
  15. ^ Co-op store locator (www.coop.co.uk)
  16. ^ here. (storelocator.asda.com)
  17. ^ here. (go.skimresources.com)
  18. ^ you can check your local times here. (clicks.trx-hub.com)
  19. ^ Argos website (go.skimresources.com)
  20. ^ Check your local Aldi's opening hours (www.aldi.co.uk)
  21. ^ full festive opening times here (www.johnlewis.com)
  22. ^ Check your local Iceland and Food Warehouse opening hours. (go.skimresources.com)
  23. ^ Boxing Day (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
  24. ^ Check your local Home Bargains store opening times. (storelocator.homebargains.co.uk)
  25. ^ Check your local The Range and Wilko Christmas opening hours (go.skimresources.com)
  26. ^ Click here (www.mirror.co.uk)

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