Nothing beats buzz of going to shops
BARGAIN-hunters flocking to shopping centres yesterday told the Daily Express, you simply cannot beat the feel of the high street.
In Manchester and Liverpool, Christmas consumers hailed the thrill over the dull “click” of ordering gifts online.
And they praised the fantastic store-only reductions on offer for encouraging them to leave home and savour the real shopping feel.
At the Trafford Centre, in Greater Manchester, the Daily Express found consumers packing out stores.
Accountant Linda Taylor, 52, from Stockport, was shopping in Debenhams where sales of up to 60 per cent had already begun.
She told us: “I’ve picked up a couple of shirts for my husband that were in the sale.
“There are some good deals about and I’m glad I came shopping today.”
Student Paige Stephenson, 22, from Wigan, revealed: “I’ve just bought myself another party dress for the Christmas parties I’m going to.”
Machinist Judith Bamford, 48, from Manchester, had just bought her daughter a Jack Wills jacket, which had 40 per cent off the price.
She said: “I much prefer going Christmas shopping instead of buying online.
“I like the atmosphere in the shops that have the Christmas songs playing. Plus, in the shops you get a much better feel for what you’re buying.”
At the upmarket new Liverpool ONE shopping destination, in Merseyside, shoppers told us they were revelling in the complete yuletide shopping experience.
June Carter, 58, said she decided to pop out for a few hours to grab some of the bargains on offer.
She said: “Staying at home and buying online makes me feel I’ve not put any effort or love into the gifts.
“This way I can enjoy some festive music, have a warming drink and properly browse for ideas.”
Steve Connolly, estate director at Liverpool ONE, told us: “We have some fantastic offers across the high street in the run-up to Christmas.
“There is definitely a place for both on line shopping and shopping on the high street.”