While most of us were tucking into the Christmas turkey and singing merry tunes, others were busy clicking on the screens, scouring the net for bargains.

In what looks like a new trend, many Maltese postponed their Christmas shopping to December 25 when online UK retailers like John Lewis – which is now accessible to Maltese users – slash their prices by half.

“I bought most of my presents online on Christmas Day and paid half the price I would have had I bought them a year earlier,” said Paul Vella, 30.

While no figures are available for Malta, Boxing Day internet sales were expected to top £540 million in the UK.

It is sensitive information. However, we will have a sale

Boxing Day sales have traditionally meant big bargains. However, the relentless growth in online shopping means more are taking to the web on Christmas Day to secure the best buys.

Boxing Day sales made the headlines in Europe’s main cities where millions of shoppers hit the high street for what is considered the biggest shopping day of the year. Here, the shopping mood was rather mellow.

The few shops in Valletta and Sliema which kicked off their sales yesterday still saw their fair share of enthusiastic shoppers. A couple of outlets offered 40 per cent discounts on almost everything but many cut prices by 30 per cent on “selected items”.

According to Accesorize director, Theresa Bartolo Parnis, Boxing Day is the biggest day of the year, although it is not necessarily big in sales. Although the Accesorize outlets in the UK have started their sales, those in Malta will not do so before January.

Most of the retailers are opting to wait until the gift season is over. Marcus Lauri, director at Sisley, would not give out the date when items at his outlet would go on sale. “It is sensitive information. However, we will have a sale,” he said.