Christmas Shopping in Harpenden

With shoppers being expected to spend £1bn on last minute gifts in the UK this weekend, we take a look at the busiest shopping weekend of the year in Harpenden.

So how have the adverse weather conditions affected local retailers? JoJo Maman Bebe’s Assistant Manager, Wendy, reported that sales had been good throughout the weekend and were up on the same period last year. As a result of the snow, many local residents were staying in the town to shop rather than venturing further afield. As well as customers purchasing popular Christmas gifts such as clothes, wooden toys and bath toys, the shop had completely sold out of snowboots in the last couple of days. It was also doing a booming trade in gloves, scarves and polar fleeces.

Over the road at Phase Eight, Sales Assistant, Danielle, offered a similar viewpoint; ‘people are staying local to shop because of the bad weather’ she said. On Friday the store picked up additional trade from local customers who were unable to make it in to work because of the snow. She added that Saturday’s trade had been very busy. Customers were buying Christmas gifts, as well as shopping for themselves enticed by early sales reductions of up to 50%. Dresses, knitwear and camisoles were proving to be the most popular items.

Elsewhere on the high street, Wii Fit, Go Go Hamsters and the Apple iPod Touch are being reported as the hottest Christmas gifts of the year.

According to Kelkoo UK, the online shopping and price comparison website: "The peak weeks of Christmas trading are vitally important to retailers as many earn up to 60% of their profits during this period."

"It's been a very tough year for retailers around the UK, so it's really encouraging to see that shoppers heading both online and onto the high street in solid numbers this year."

Where did you do your Christmas shopping this year? If you are you a local shop owner, please tell us about your Christmas trade, here at harpendenpeople.