BARGAIN hunters are set to splash £3.73billion today — averaging £236 each.
A mammoth 22.5million Brits will join the Boxing Day sales stampede, with 14.8million of us heading to high streets.
The predicted 5.8 per cent jump in shop-goers on last year heralds the first time since 2021 that post-Christmas sales have gone up.
It also follows a 17 per cent jump on this Christmas Eve compared to last year’s figures, according to Vouchercodes.co.uk.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Boxing Day continues to be a crucial time for the retail sector.
“The renewed interest in in-store shopping, alongside the enduring resilience of online platforms, demonstrates a more balanced and adaptive approach from consumers. We hope this will continue into the New Year.”
She predicted that shoppers would be shifting towards “practicality”, with more hoping to bag bargains on kitchen appliances.
Anita Naik, savings expert at Vouchercodes.co.uk, said: “There’s an increase in interest as shoppers’ financial situations improve.”
Retailers started slashing prices online yesterday, with discounts of up to 70 per cent.
Many shops, including Next, will open from 6am today, although John Lewis is keeping most of its sites closed and instead relying on online purchases.
Others high street regulars including Marks & Spencer and Poundland will not open.
Consumer watchdog Which?, meanwhile, urged people to check pricing history on comparison sites to ensure “deals” are genuine.
