Hundreds join rush for post-Christmas bargains

Shops in Exeter were busy with shoppers today as bargain-hunters made the most of the traditional Boxing Day sales.

Dozens of eager shoppers were queing up before 6am in an effort to grab the best bargains but some stores started their sales early this year. M&S began its online sale at noon on Christmas Eve, John Lewis kicked off its sale at 5pm and Currys/PC World at 7pm. M&S has even bought the "Christmas Eve sales" search terms on Google in an attempt to attract shoppers.

Across the UK up to 7.1 million shoppers are expected in stores, with one in 10 venturing out for a deal before 9am, according to research from Green Flag.

According to MoneySupermarket.com, shoppers in the UK are set to spend a total of £2.9bn.

A poll for the website found almost four million Britons (8%) planned to head to the high street on Boxing Day in addition to more than five million (10%) who will be searching online.

However, figures from one survey, by comparison website Pricerunner, suggested that almost half (47%) of those questioned were not planning on buying anything in the post-Christmas sales.

Exeter City Centre Manager, John Harvey, told The Exeter Daily: "I'm briefed that sales have already been brisk in the city centre this morning, with some very early morning bargain hunters out in force.

"The post-Christmas sales are now an Important part of the retail calendar and I'm expecting a brisk sales period to give us a good springboard for a successful 2013."