26 December 2023 , 00:01
541
0
Bargain hunters are set to make this the biggest Boxing Day for sales shopping in four years. 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.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
“Despite rising living costs, people still want to treat themselves and their loved ones.”
If you’re planning to bag a bargain today, check out our guide on all you need to be sales savvy, as well as our pick of this year’s best deals...
Asos wide leg jumpsuit (DAILY MIRROR)
Boohoo Hot Pink velvet sleeve top (DAILY MIRROR)Top 10 shopping tips
1. Richard Price, personal finance 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.
Banksy's artwork has been removed in cities all over the world - see which ones
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.
Popcorn Balls Mini Eyeshadow (DAILY MIRROR)Beauty
- Popcorn Balls Mini Eyeshadow Palette, Too Faced, was £28, now £18.76, saving £9.24
- Remington Shea Soft Hair Straightener, Very. Was £69.99, now £19.99, saving £50
- Vera Wang Princess Eau De Parfum 100ml, The Perfume Shop, was £66, now £19.99, saving £46.01
- Cookie highlighter, Benefit. Was £30 now £22.50, saving £7.50
- Rest Day Cleansing Milk, oskiaskincare.com. Was £38, now £30.40, saving £7.60
Lancôme Hydra Zen Cream 50ml Skincare Gift Set, John Lewis, was £53.00, now £39.75, saving £13.25
- Clinique’s Most Loved, Ready, Set, Refresh, M&S. Was £125, now £62.50, saving £62.50
- Soothe and Smooth Almond Milk Ultimate Gift, The Body Shop. Was £58, now £41, saving £17
- Bulldog Skincare Kit for Men. Was £16, now £8, saving £8
Ted Baker Body Spray Trio Gift, was £12.50, now £8.33, saving £4.17
Vera Wang perfume (DAILY MIRROR)Electrical
Sage Duo Temp Pro Coffee Machine - Silver, Currys, was £399.95, now £299.99, saving £99.96
Ninja AF100 Air Fryer, Very. Was £149, now £79, saving £70
- Vactidy T7 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo, Amazon. Was £129, now £109, saving £20
Oral-B Pro Series 3 Electric Toothbrush, Argos, was £90, now £40, saving £50
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro Laptop, Amazon. Was £1,049, now £712.12, saving £336.88
- Google Pixel 8 128GB Obsidian mobile phone, EE. Was £699, now £599, saving £100
JVC 32” Smart HD Ready HDR LED TV, Currys, was: £249.99, now: £139, saving £110.99
Xbox Series X console, Very. Was £479.99, now £389, saving £90.99
- Swan Camden 2-Slice Toaster (various colours), Robert Dyas. Was £37.99, now £21.99, saving £16
- Bosch Series 4 WGG04409GB 9kg Washing Machine – A Rated, AO.com. Was £599, now £499, saving £100
Google Pixel 8 128GB ObisidianFashion
- Leopard Print Ruffle Trimmed Ivy Midi Dress, Nobody’s Child, was £65, now £39, saving £26
- Coach Pillow Tabby 18 Leather Shoulder Bag in Ivory, John Lewis, was £395, now £237, saving £158
- Jonquil Mini Hoop Earrings, shrimps.com, was £95, now £47.50, saving £47.50
- Men’s Navy Super Skinny Fit Suit Trousers, River Island, was £35, now £20, saving £15
- Leather Ankle Boots in black, & Other Stories, was £145, now £69, saving £76
- Men’s Dark Grey Hooded Puffer Jacket, New Look, was £49.99, now £19, saving £30.99
- Fila Heroics Women’s Trainers, was £50, now £30, saving £20
- Wednesday’s Girl Fruit Print Wide Leg Jumpsuit in Black, Asos, was £26, now £16, saving £10
- Burgundy Velvet Sequin Volume Sleeve Top in Hot Pink, Boohoo, was £35, now £11, saving £24
- Essentials Studio Lounge 3-Stripes Sweatshirt in grey, Adidas, was £40, now £28, saving £12
Fila women's trainers (DAILY MIRROR)Furniture
- Living Brodie 3 Seater Sofa, SCS. Was £1,099, now £819, saving £280
- Desk Trappedal, jysk.co.uk. Was £99.99, now £50, saving £49.99
- Hybrid Original Mattress double, Simba. Was £1,079, now £593.45, saving £485.55
- Tromso Table with storage, B&M. Was £35, now £25, saving £10
- Raul Velvet Buttoned Super King Bed Frame, Barker and Stonehouse. Was £1,785, now £1,499, saving £286
- Mode Ashida Freestanding Bath, Victoria Plum. Was £699, now £489, saving £210
- Toby 4 Door Wardrobe, Dunelm. Was £439, now £307.30, saving £131.70
- Parquet dining table with 4 Bette fabric chairs, Oak Furnitureland, was £1169, now £899, saving £270
Flair White and Grey Woodland House Children’s Bed With Trundle, bedkingdom.co.uk, was £499.99, now £319.99, saving £180
Padma 2 Drawer Bedside Table Mid Brown, John Lewis. Was £229, now £160, saving £69
Padma 2 Drawer Bedside Table Mid Brown, John Lewis (DAILY MIRROR)Best of the rest
- Girls’ Orchard Ditsy Dress with Broderie Collar, JoJo Maman Bebe. Was £22, now £13, saving £9
- Sabichi 16-Piece Hammered Cutlery Set, La Redoute. Was £24, now £15.60, saving £8.40
- John Lewis Haze Classic Glass Candle Holder medium. Was £15, now £7.50, saving £7.50
- Brown Arctic Fur Heated Throw, Lakeland. Was £99.99, now £59.99, saving £40
- Bahe Synergy Yoga Mat, Sports Direct. Was £64.99, now £20, saving £44.99
Lego Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets set, Very, was £129.99, now £96.99, saving £33
Polygon Siskiu D6 Full Suspension Mountain Bike, Go Outdoors. Was £1,250, now £899, saving £351
- Scoville Neverstick 5 Piece Cookware Set, George at Asda. Was £68, now £34, saving £34
- Enduring Underseat Suitcase in Tan, Itluggage.com. Was £70, now £40, saving £30
- 3 Peaks Nevis Scalloped Dog Bed Black large, Pets at Home. Was £46, now £23, saving £23