Shoppers left it late with their Christmas shopping this year leaving retailers hoping for a major boost in the sales.

With prices slashed consumers are taking tentative steps but have not yet rushed to empty the shelves of leading stores.

Tim Denison, director of knowledge management at retail analysts SPSL, told BBC Radio Five Live: “The figures are quite subdued for the start of the sales this year. There have not been so many people out there shopping in earnest.”

Birmingham’s Bullring complex estimated that more than 200,000 visitors passed through its doors on Boxing Day, while the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent also reported a strong day’s trading. Bluewater marketing manager Alan Jones estimated that around 100,000 people passed through the doors in the six hours stores were open.

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