Shoppers flock into city for a second day of bargain-hunting

THE traditional Boxing Day sales have proved to be a success in Derby and yesterday shoppers flocked into the city again for a second day of bargain-hunting.

In Westfield, footfall figures over the past two days have been similar to last year's and retailers in the centre have been pleased with the amount of money customers have spent.

Richard Thornton, Westfield's marketing and communications manager, said: "We have been extremely busy in the malls on both days. The figures for the number of customers are similar to last year.

"The retailers that we have spoken to are very happy with their performance, in terms of money going into the tills."

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Many of the shops in the Cathedral Quarter were not open on Boxing Day but Bennetts said its sales were up by 10% yesterday from the same day in 2011.

Bennetts' retail director Ian McMillan said there was a long queue of shoppers outside the Iron Gate department store in the morning waiting to bag the first post-Christmas bargains.

Yesterday afternoon Mr McMillan said: "The way it is going at the moment, we will be 10% up on last year.

"We have genuine bargains on offer."

He said that this December the store had sold more food than last year and that Barbour jackets had also been a big hit.

"Christmas Eve sales were good for fashion accessories, such as handbags, scarves and jewellery – it's when all the men come in, thinking I should buy something for my wife or loved one," said Mr McMillan.

Sophia Robinson, of Bluewater, in Sadler Gate, said it had been busy in the shop yesterday.

She said: "In general, the Christmas period has been a lot busier than last year."

James Hurdis, director of Canopy, in Sadler Gate, which sells designer labels and opened its doors yesterday for the first time since Christmas, said: "The first day after Boxing Day is always really busy – it's the first day of our sales."

Sisters-in-law Beverley Sharpe, 54, and Pam Sharpe, 55, both from Oakwood, visit the sales every year on December 27.

Beverley said: "This is a bit of a tradition for us. I haven't done badly considering I didn't really want anything.

"My biggest bargain are some pyjamas from Next – reduced from £32 to £8."

Pam bought a coat from Marks & Spencer slashed from £75 to £30.

She said: "It wasn't one of the things I was looking for but it's a bargain if it fits!

"We got here at 9am and I thought it would be a lot busier but it has got busy as time has gone on."

Colin Wood travelled to Derby to bring his six-year-old granddaughter, Holly Grant, to shop.

The 68-year-old said: "I have not bought anything – I never do. But Holly bought a top and some leggings.

"We got here just after 10am and it was fairly quiet but within a couple of hours it got really busy."