The Christmas rush passed by with no big deals in Britain and so retailers are praying for good shopping nights after Christmas as they slash prices to win over shoppers into Britain’s stores.

Heavy discounts should attract clients who had to contend with low temperatures and heavy snow during the pre-Christmas rush but now many retailers are expecting the tintinnabulation of cash tills well into the New Year before the VAT increase from 17.5 per to 20 per cent materialises on January 4.

As Boxing Day this year fell on a Sunday, trading hours in the UK were restricted to six hours and shops yesterday were literally squeezing in patrons from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile shoppers coming to London also had to overcome the hurdle of a Tube strike which affected travel in the capital.

However, yesterday bargain hunters in London were already queuing in front of shops as early as 4 a.m. while Selfridges, which were offering discounts of up to 75 per cent, were expecting a barrage of some 80,000 eager beavers.

The shopping tsunami seems to be spreading all over the country as shoppers were out in force with retail outlets reporting higher shopping trends in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Southampton, Nottingham and as far up as Glasgow early yesterday morning.

Bags and shoes seem to be the first items on target with laptops, TV sets and other electronic accessories such as iPads and jewellery following close behind.

While some retail outlets were selling plasma and flat screen TVs for under £400, the fact that the weather has eased off with less snowfalls is an added bonus as potential customers are not discouraged from venturing out into the cold streets.

And for those who believe that freezing conditions keep people huddled in the comfort of their homes, this does not mean that sales are not taking place, given that online customers are browsing the internet for the right deals according to retail surveys.

Meanwhile spendthrifts are still in time for their shopping spree. In fact more sales are expected today and in the coming weeks across the UK as stores seek to clear stock at discount before the spring range of goods come in.

Those in shopping mood can always say they will cut back on spending afterwards!