Retailers in Belfast are reporting their best sales season in 20 years, in spite of the atrocious weather conditions which have been battering Northern Ireland since St Stephen's Day. This has failed to deter bargain-hunters, and first reports suggest that takings in some stores are up by as much as 50 per cent on a year ago. This follows initial gloom as December got off to a slow start, with many clothes and sporting goods stores slashing prices by 20 per cent or more up to three weeks before Christmas. The pace increased sharply in the two weeks before Christmas, however, and has continued, with shoppers estimated to be spending between 15 and 20 per cent more than last year.