Tonight:
8°c
Major stores open doors at 7am
Sri Carmichael27.11.08
FLAGSHIP West End stores are to stage an unprecedented rush-hour sale in a desperate bid to boost business.
More than 30 big-name shops will open at 7am on Friday and many will slash their prices until 9.30am to attract customers on their way to work.
The Topshop store in Oxford Circus, Hamleys, Liberty, Ted Baker and Brooks Brothers are among those taking part in the London Early Birds event, which will also include free gifts and breakfasts as well as discounts.
The move came as consumer spending figures today showed the sharpest decline for 13 years between July and September. Official data also confirmed the economy shrank by 0.5 per cent over the summer, with a recession set to be officially confirmed in January. House of Fraser today took out large adverts in several newspapers announcing a two-day sale, starting tomorrow, featuring up to 25 per off designer brands.
It comes as Harrods announced it is beginning a sale preview on Saturday where customers can pre-order big ticket homeware items such as fridges ahead of their post-Christmas sale which runs from 27 December.
Customers must have a Harrods reward card and pay up front. They will also be entitled to an extra 10 per cent off most sale and non-sale prices this weekend.
This year's trend for pre-Christmas sales began last Wednesday when Debenhams began a three-day sale offering up to 25 per cent off. It later extended the sale over the weekend and its stores stayed open until midnight. M&S followed suit, slashing 20 per cent off all its products except food for one day last Thursday. It was the company's first pre-Christmas since 2004. This Friday early morning West End shoppers will be offered:
● 10 per cent off all purchases at Boots and Wallis.
● 20 per cent off all purchases at Brooks Brothers.
● 50 per cent off selected toys at Mamas & Papas.
● 20 per cent and 30 per cent off selected lines in Ted Baker.
●15 per cent of purchases for all new loyalty members at Jaeger.
● a gift from cosmetics firm Shu Umera at Liberty and a glass of bucks fizz.
Banana Republic is offering no price cuts but is giving customers breakfast while M&S is handing out free coffee to potential customers outside the store.
Reader views (12)
My council tax increased by 5% this year, my gas and electricity has increased by over 20% this year, I am still paying far to much for petrol and my rail fares are increasing above the stated inflation rate. My job is not secure and as such do the fools in Parliament Square think we will rush out and spend.......shows what an unrealistic world they live in. I am sorry Mr Brown I do not propose to follow you advice and spend up in an attempt to get you out of a hole of your own making.
- Ian Makin, Twickenham
What a sad place this country has become.
- Frederick, London UK
Are they telling me I must go out and spend monies I do not have to rescue the economy?
I THINK NOT
- Ayliff Mcnab, Spain
Personally, as the shops are stuggling now and I do so feel sorry for the ordinary workers, I'm one myself, feeling the insecurity but I'm going to hang on to the after Xmas sales.
Like the rest of the working class, my money needs to be spread further, so why pay 20% less now when I can pay 50% less at the end of the month - who knows, maybe more?
Besides, us working mothers have to get the kids to school first and that's traumatic enough without shopping in the West End first. I know were brilliant jugglers but this is taking it to extremes.
Anyway, for those with money and no other responsibility at that time of the morning, good Luck and sorry I can join you.
- Theresa, London
- Ross Etherson, London .... Tell me why do you want to know ? Lets just say for spending sake NO NO NO ! Stay at home ... Lets just give Commercialism Christmas a break. Do something that does not cost .. A walk Christmas day , a meal in the evening .. You all will feel better for it !
- William Of Orange, London
This is brilliant news! Yahoooo. Shame they cant make it an all day thing and chuck in a bit of lunch
- Miss C C Ana, West London
I didn't know there was a 7am!
- John, London
excellent - striving for competition re-enters the western world; they were all too satisfied with our willingness to embrace gluttony.
I'm with the 10th century arabic historian - civilisations starts to corrupt and decay when our desire for settlement and luxury tips into gluttony and excess - always has been, always will be the downfall of civilisation
- Jc, se1
judging by your photo, business is booming!
- Jon, London
So, Gordon and Alistair think their ridiculous 2.13% VAT reduction next Monday will get things moving, but back on Earth desparate and troubled retailers are taking matters into their own hands. If they had any sense of shame the busted flush that is our Downing Street Duo would just apologise and quietly go away.
- David H, Aylesbury, England
Where can I buy an alarm clock?
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Does anyone know what deals will be on in Topshop, and also if Zara will be participating?
- Ross Etherson, London
