Last-minute shooping rush
Britain's cut-price Christmas rush finally got under way today as shops were heaving with bargain hunters from 8.30am.
Stores slashed prices to the bone, some offering 70 per cent reductions, tempting thousands into a late shopping surge after months of credit crunch worries.
The sales frenzy stepped up a gear today, with many workers having already broken up for the festive holiday.
Shops such as Sainsbury's in Wolverhampton opened two hours early today at 6am, while the car park at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley was nearly full before it opened at 9am today. The centre was staying open until midnight tonight and tomorrow.
More than half a million people flocked to Wolverhampton to pick up their cut-price Christmas gifts throughout last week and the weekend as stores slashed prices to entice customers affected by the credit crunch.
Bargains today include half price George clothing at Asda and a Fisher Price My Baby doll being sold at £19.49 instead of £49.94 at Argos.
Faith shoe shop in Merry Hill is offering some goods for up to 70 per cent off, as is Tesco for its clothing range. Beatties is also offering discounts of up to half-price on presents such as handbags.
Graham Evans, manager of the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, said today: "A lot of the stores have been running a lot of discounts in the run-up to Christmas.
"It has been really busy."
The centre is opening until 9pm tonight and tomorrow.
Walsall's business development manager John Hodgkiss said: "There may be a credit crunch but shops are expecting good profits again this year."
