Retailers expect a record three days as shoppers flock to West End

Big spenders: crowds in Oxford Street have generated a spending surge that has brought record takings to the high street
Julia Kennard12 April 2012

Christmas shoppers are set to spend £100 million in the West End in the next three days as hundreds of thousands grab last-minute gifts or seek out early bargains from the sales.

The spending splurge follows sales of £140 million at the weekend, with about a million people converging on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street on the busiest weekend of the year. It brings the total spending in the West End to an estimated £1 billion for the six weeks leading up to Christmas.

The New West End Company, which represents 600 shops, said the weekend's receipts were not record-breaking but were 10 to 12 per cent up on last year, and were very strong for the current financial climate.

Spokesman Jace Tyrrell said: "The next three days will be very busy too as the boys go out to do their last-minute shopping. This year we have a longer build-up and we are expecting a real surge.

"We're expecting most sales to start on Boxing Day this year, but a few stores will start discounting before Christmas so shoppers should plan ahead before hitting the high street."

Tills were ringing right across London this weekend as retailers enjoyed one of their best weeks since before the recession. Waitrose managing director Mark Price said the company was on course for its most successful Christmas on record, with London sales up more than 20 per cent compared with the same trading week last year.

He said: "Sales at the John Lewis food hall in Oxford Street were up by 20 per cent and Edgware Road was up by 25 per cent.

"We've had a huge week and expect next week to bring more record sales as we will see five days of trading compared with last year. Orders are already through the roof."

Department store group John Lewis also announced that it had seen record sales.

Andrew Murphy, director of operational development, said national sales during the seven days to Saturday totalled £122 million, 15.5 per cent up on the same week last year and 11.4 per cent higher than 2007.

He said: "Peter Jones in Sloane Square and John Lewis in Oxford Street also turned in record weeks last week with the most money ever taken."

In Covent Garden, boutique shops were also claiming strong sales. Jewellery store Kabiri, whose products range from £20 to £50,000, said sales were better than predicted.

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