REPRESENTATIVE BODY ‘RETAIL Excellence Ireland’ says yesterday’s St. Stephen’s Day sales were the busiest in the past six years.
Shoppers were queuing from early in the morning yesterday in the hope of securing a bargain, and, according to REI, most retailers who opened their doors yesterday reported sales were up by over 20 per cent on last year.
26 December trading was once the preserve of only the very largest department stores, but more and more outlets have been opening their doors in the last 3-4 years in a bid to keep pace with their competitors and the always-open marketplace of the internet.
“The day could not have gone any better with both footfall and spending significantly up on last year,” REI Chief Exexutive David Fitzsimons said.
“One retailer we spoke to yesterday had done 50 per cent of last year’s St. Stephens Day turnover in the first hour yesterday.
“After a somewhat disappointing December for retail, many businesses were carrying significant amounts of stock into yesterday’s Sales — equating to very deep discounts.”
Fitzsimons said he expected the Government’s home renovation incentive scheme would act as a further stimulus to “big ticket” home spending in the coming days.
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