CHRISTMAS shoppers have warned of “absolute carnage” as thousands make a last-minute dash to their high street.
Meanwhile, lengthy queues have formed outside supermarkets – with one Tesco‘s line reportedly taking 2.5 hours.
Last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve make their way along the High Street in Winchester, Hampshire[/caption]
Many could be seen with armfuls of festive provisions[/caption]
A street in Twickenham, London was lined with shoppers waiting to enter a local fishmongers[/caption]
In Winchester, Hampshire, shoppers crowded the High Street this morning, as they filed towards the town’s market stalls.
Passing under the iconic festive lights display in “England‘s Christmas Capital”, many were seen carrying armfuls of last-minute festive provisions in the drizzly, grey weather.
And in Twickenham, London, footage shared to social media showed dozens of people waiting to enter a local fishmonger.
The stationary queue appeared to be the length of around five storefronts on the west London high street.
The poster wrote: “The traditional queue on Christmas Eve at Sandy’s. Merry Twickmas.”
One relieved local replied to the post on X, saying: “Longest today as I’ve ever seen it! So glad I went before!”
It comes after a major IT error saw thousands of Morrisons customers have their deliveries cancelled or delayed yesterday amid the shopping chaos.
The budget supermarket chain has today offered customers money off their Christmas shop as a gesture of good will, following the mishap on the worst day for Christmas shopping of the year.
In a statement, the groceries giant said: “Now is the time to head to Morrisons for great deals as huge price drops have been introduced for ALL Morrisons customers today and TOMORROW (Christmas Eve).”
And, on Saturday, an estimated 30 million people flocked to stores – the busiest shopping day of 2024.
Shoppers were seen fighting through the crowds in the West End of London and on Grainger Street in Newcastle.
When will shops open and close over the Christmas period?
Shoppers looking to brave the high street between now and the New Year may like to check when stores open and close.
Aldi has said it will close on Boxing Day, as well as Christmas Day.
The vast majority of Waitrose supermarkets and all standalone John Lewis stores will also be shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
However, a handful of Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations remaining open on Boxing Day.
All Lidl stores will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – while some but not all will be open on Boxing Day.
Some Co-op shops will also be open on Boxing Day, with customers advised to check locally for up-to-date details.
Specific opening and closing times at all supermarkets will largely depend on your local branch.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to whet your whistle while out and about, trusty pub chain Wetherspoons will open 664 of its pubs on Christmas Day itself.
Why do retailers close on Boxing Day?
BOXING Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
So why do retailers decide to close? Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains.
Closing on Boxing Day allows staff to have a well-deserved break after the busy Christmas period.
This can help improve staff morale and reduce burnout.
It also provides them with an opportunity to spend time with their families and friends during the festive season.
For some retailers, the cost of opening on Boxing Day, including staffing and operational expenses, may not be justified by the expected sales revenue, especially if customer footfall is low.
With the rise of online shopping, some retailers may focus on online sales and promotions rather than opening physical stores on Boxing Day.
For some businesses, it may also be a a long-standing tradition for them to remain closed on Boxing Day.
From a practical perspective, the day after Christmas can be used for inventory checks, restocking, and preparing for post-Christmas sales.
This can be more effectively done without the distraction of serving customers.
Shoppers finally arriving at the front of the queue for Sandy’s in Twickenham, London[/caption]
