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Internet Sales To Start On Christmas Eve

Blog: Things that Pop into my Head
Posted by: hazel eyes Tuesday 22nd December 2009, 3:04pm

Internet shoppers could get a head start on the sales this year as many retailers are launching them on Christmas Eve.

Retailers such as John Lewis, Comet, B&Q and Halfords are expected to start their xmas sales online 36hrs before the more traditional Boxing Day start.

Sales are expected to be particularly brisk between Christmas and New Year because of the VAT increase, which returns to 17.5% on January 1st. Consumers wishing to make a large purchase such as furniture and big electrical items are most likely to try and grab a bargain before the increase takes effect.

IMRG, the online trading body, estimates that around 4 million people will go online on Christmas day and will spend around £100 million on Dec 26th. Kelkoo estimates that traffic will spike at 8pm on the 25th.

David Smith, director at IMRG, said: \"A lot of these purchases are for downloads – be it films or computer games. If you have received a games console or computer for Christmas one of the first things you want to do is download something...And it doesn't mean sitting in the spare room. Most people do their shopping with a laptop on their knee in the sitting room, or even on their phone.\"

The bad weather we are experiencing at the moment has meant that some delivery guarantees have had to be scrapped. Previously, customers have been informed that they could order up to 5pm today (Dec 22nd) and still have it in time for Christmas, but retailers such as Marks & Spencer have had to alter it to 1pm yesterday with purchases after that time no longer promised to arrive before xmas day.

Those with poised laptops will need to note that online sales bargains will be available from the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, just as high street shops are closing.

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