Millions join rush on day of online discounts

MILLIONS of Britons joined the hunt for online bargains yesterday as Amazon and other stores launched their biggest sales since Black Friday.

Consumers – many browsing tablets and smartphones from their beds in the small hours – took advantage of a series of rolling deals on Amazon that started at midnight and ran for 24 hours.

Some boasted of spending hundreds of pounds before breakfast on smartwatches, beauty products, gadgets, DVDs and toys. But others complained that the website’s ‘Prime Day’ deals did not offer the savings they expected.

Currys PC World responded to the Amazon promotion by announcing its own flash sale, which included laptops, smartphones, TVs and home appliances. Zavvi also launched its own 24-hour ‘Prime Deals’ on computer games, DVDs, clothing and gadgets. The Amazon event was open only to members of its Prime scheme, which for £79 a year gives free next day delivery on purchases and access to its video streaming service.

However, shoppers could qualify for the deals by signing up to a free 30- day trial. Bestsellers included the Microsoft band – a watch, heart rate monitor and exercise tracker that links to mobile phones to provide alerts for texts and calls – down from £ 159.99 to £ 118.99. Bargains at Currys PC World included a 128GB Apple iPhone 6 Plus down by £50 to £739.

Amazon UK managing director Christopher North said the firm was celebrating its 20th birthday