Chelmsford's sale season could be the best ever for buyers as top stores discount to the bone to grab custom.

More people have been buying in the January sales than in the lead-up to Christmas, says the management at High Chelmer shopping precinct.

WH Smith, Debenhams and Woolworth are said to have cleaned up with their decision to open on Boxing Day and Boots is the regional top-selling branch, beating even its Lakeside outlet.

"There are bargains out there and it's a buyers' market and looks like being that way for a long time,'' said Mick McDonagh, of High Chelmer.

Top firms by sales volume in his sector have been Games, HMV, Boots, Sony and Bang and Olufsen.

Meadows shopping centre manager, Malcolm Tilsed, reported a January sales boom with 50 and even 70 per cent off some items, helping stores make up for slow Christmas purchases on some higher priced items.

Published Friday January 9, 2004

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