'SALES CAN BENEFIT US ALL'

January sales are one of the great British traditions that extends the festive period for days after December 25 and into the new year.  But are the post-Christmas sales a positive part of our culture or a harmful influence that encourages needless purchases?

Cheltenham's Beechwood Shopping Centre manager Owen Acland was offered the chance to argue the case in favour of the sales by his local paper the Gloucestershire Echo.

Here's his views, believing they are good for shops and consumers alike.

"THERE'S little doubt that we all love a bargain or special offer, saving our hard-earned cash to get a deal. Just look at the numbers of bargain-hunters at the Sunday boot sales or listen out for those who log on to eBay.

And it's similar for New Year sales, where we try to save our pennies or pounds, particularly when economic times are tough. And they don't come much tougher than now. Following a disappointing week immediately before Christmas due to the extreme weather, the week after Christmas brought very good sales in Beechwood Shopping Centre, with high numbers of visitors – up on last year both on foot and in cars – drawn to the almost universal sales and a fantastic range of discounts.

Helped by higher than normal stock levels due to poor trade just before Christmas, there was heavy discounting on offer, to the benefit of shoppers and retailers alike, with many shops reporting record sales, helping to recoup some of the ground lost pre-Christmas.

"Although Boxing Day was quieter than last year (being a Sunday as opposed to Saturday in 2009) the sales kicked off fully on the Monday, driven by the famous and eagerly anticipated Next and M&S sales, which created the sort of sale excitement that is often thought to have been relegated to the past.

"Bumper numbers continued through the week as shoppers enjoyed the offers and many took advantage of not having spent as much before Christmas, due to the weather, to make savings on their purchases.

"In the week between Christmas and New Year, the sales gave shopkeepers the trade they had been hoping for but didn't get before Christmas and in many cases deserved at the end of a very difficult year that saw numerous challenges beyond their control.

"It was a welcome and necessary shot in the arm and gave shoppers something to smile about as they were able to finally travel in safety, make the most of the extended holidays and enjoy the offers available to spoil themselves and loved ones before the end of the festive season and the advent of the VAT increase on January 4.

"The sales benefit us all if we take full advantage."