Shoppers flock online as retailers offers heavy discounts

The Daily Telegraph reported at the week that online retail sales were running at 15 per cent up on last year and trade bodies were confident more than £100 million will be spend this Christmas Day, with 5.24 million shoppers logging on.

It is hoped that the online discounts will save the retailing industry. Stores are already offering unprecedented reductions and some are even slashing prices by 90 per cent.

Superdrug is advertising cuts of up to 90 per cent from midnight and M&S will launch its sale at midnight on Christmas Day, shoppers can expect savings of up to 50 per cent across most ranges in womenswear, menswear, lingerie, kidswear, home and beauty.

The best bargains include an Autograph Crinkle Maxi Dress which was £99 has been slashed to £35 and Ceriso Sparkle Basque & Shorts which was £29.50 and £8 can now be bought for £7 and £3.

Next has advertised half price discounts - including a children's stripe cardigan and jean set which was originally £24 and is now £12.

B&Q is already offering 50 per cent of all its kitchens and bathrooms, with discounts of up to 70 per cent on some other items.

Brent Cross shopping centre said 70,000 shoppers were expected through the doors by closing time at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

Supermarket chain Tesco's has advertised its £100m Boxing Day sale which starts at 10 am offering customers big savings on goods including TVs and laptops to clothing and bedding.