Belfast retailers have experienced their first day of the sales as "way ahead of expectations" with some shoppers queuing overnight to snap up bargains.
In the city centre, clothing retailer Next opened its doors at 6 a.m. yesterday. A sales assistant said a queue had started forming at 4 a.m. Across the street at Marks & Spencer business was brisk right from its 8 a.m. opening, according to the store manager, Mr Colin Hamilton.
"We have been very busy right from the start and all through the store, although the ladies' and men's clothing departments are probably the busiest. Some of our coats would be reduced from £199 sterling to £100 so that makes the pushing and shoving worthwhile."
At Dixons electrical retailers at Donegall Arcade stocks were running low with the last delivery having come in on Christmas Eve.
"We were open from noon to 4 p.m. yesterday and that's when there were some bargains to be had such as £100 off digital cameras. I can't believe we are still so busy today despite there being hardly anything left in the shop," said Pamela, one of the sales managers.