image sourced from original article at Thousands of shoppers braved chilly weather and long queues to hunt for bargains at designer outlets and high streets across the country on Boxing Day, despite concerns about the economic outlook following the latest budget. At Bicester Village, crowds gathered hours before opening, while London's Oxford Street and Birmingham's city centre saw packed pavements and heavy congestion outside major stores.
Survey data suggests that while the average shopper plans to spend slightly more this year, overall spending is expected to fall by £1 billion compared to last year, with fewer people taking part in the sales. Many shoppers are prioritising essentials and using smart tools to find the best deals, reflecting ongoing cost pressures.
Bicester Village continues to attract international visitors, especially from China, and remains one of the world's most successful shopping centres by sales per square foot. However, more people are choosing to shop online or stay home with family, highlighting changing habits in the traditional Boxing Day shopping rush.
