Thousands of shoppers flocked to High Streets across the UK as the sales got under way on Boxing Day.
Post-Christmas buying fever swept the country with many major shopping centres opening their doors early.
The ever popular Next and Hollister sales once again proved to be a big draw at various locations, with keen bargain hunters queuing from before dawn to grab the best deals.
In Perth sales were brisk throughout the day. Most of the major retailers, including Next, River Island and Boots were busy, while the town’s St John’s Centre enjoyed good trading.
A grey and drizzly day failed to act as a deterrent to shoppers, though some of the town’s smaller retailers experienced lower footfall.
Among those hoping big sales will attract customers through the doors despite a difficult financial climate was independent department store McEwens, which boasted £2 million worth of reductions.
The sales bonanza has not yet begun everywhere however, as a number of Perth’s independent retailers will not reopen for their sales until later in the week.
In Dundee gale force winds gusting up to 54mph also failed to deter bargain-hungry shoppers.
City centre streets thronged as retailers slashed prices, but some shoppers complained that the ‘special offers’ were the same as those in the run-up to Christmas.
Despite this people were out in force at the Overgate.
Shopping centre manager David Carson said: ”The sales at Overgate have already gone down a storm with Dundee shoppers who have been visiting the centre in their thousands.
”Visitors have been bagging some great festive bargains throughout the day and we expect this to continue throughout the sale period.”
It was a slightly different picture at the Wellgate, where centre manager John Morton said he believed footfall was down.
”It is no busier than a Saturday,” he said. ”I can’t say what the sales have been like but there certainly appears to be fewer people.”
Gillies of Broughty Ferry enjoyed a busy day’s trade as customers flooded through the doors.
The furniture, carpets and flooring firm, which also has stores in Aberdeen, Perth and Montrose, attracted a small number of customers who were waiting outside for the 10am opening.
Managing director Mike Wells said: ”There wasn’t a queue as such but people were waiting in their cars and cafes for us to open, I think because of the windy weather.
”This has been a good Boxing Day for us and we still have plenty of other stock here and at our other stores.”