By Pakinam Amer
Published: December 27 2008 02:00
Last updated: December 27 2008 02:00
The price cuts may have been among the deepest on record, the crowds heaving but, ominously for Britain's beleaguered retailers, this year's crop of Boxing day shoppers seemed choosier than ever about parting with their cash.
Grappling with the impact of the downturn on family finances, many admitted to nothing more than curiosity about the wares on offer. Some were willing to open their wallets only for a copper-bottomed bargain, noting that the unusually large number of pre-Christmas sales had diminished the number of really good buys on offer yesterday.
Cecilia Smith, a fifty-something teacher and veteran sales shopper, vowed: "I'll only spend if there is a bargain."
Describing herself as hardwired to recognise the best deals, Ms Smith added: "I've bought something from Dorothy Perkins; it was just £3, even the cashier was surprised to see they had something for £3."
Debby King, a housewife, also appeared reluctant to spend, despite choosing to take to the crowded streets of the capital with her son relatively early on Boxing day morning.
"It comes down to what money you've got on you," she said. Food was her priority, she stressed. "After that, if you've got nothing, you've got nothing," she shrugged.
Karen and Rhianna Kang, two sisters in their early twenties who had just finished scouring Top Shop, told the Financial Times they were spending less than in past years, despite saving up specifically for a bit of post-Christmas retail therapy. Each had set a ceiling on the amount of money they would pay for a single item, no matter how strong the temptation. "I won't go over £30," said Karen. "This is my budget, and I find that most clothes are overpriced anyway this year." "Normally, I would go mad on Boxing day, but today I haven't," added Rhianna.
In Westfield, in west London, Europe's biggest shopping centre, the picture was broadly similar. A noticeable number of shoppers emerged empty-handed - despite having pushed and shoved to get across the threshhold of stores that already looked full to bursting.
"People are more cautious. I am more careful. I'm thinking before I'm buying. And I have spent probably about 30 per cent less this year," said Aneela Hafeez, who carried two bags in each hand as she stood outside Monsoon, the clothing retailer.
"At the same time last year, I'd have many more bags."
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
Link: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8378dc04-d3b6-11dd-989e-000077b07658.html
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