Shops in Swansea’s busy Quadrant Shopping Centre are gearing up for the biggest shopping day of the year so far – Black Friday – with over 150 Christmas temps signed up.
Retailers are bringing in the extra staff and unveiling a host of offers ready for the expected avalanche of shoppers as footfall goes through the roof on Friday, November 27.
That’s when the last paycheque before Christmas hits bank accounts, sparking a frenzy of shopping with retailers offering lots of bargains too.
Many stores are staying open late including Debenhams, Game, Dorothy Perkins/Burtons and Evans who will be trading until 10pm with Game also open until after midnight on Thursday.
At Superdrug Manager Martin McLavy was overwhelmed by the impact last year and they will be opening until 8pm this time round.
He said: “It was manic but it was a massive plus for us and we took nearly double what we normally take on a Friday.
“We’re ready for it this year with lots of offers including plenty on big ticket items with up to 50 per cent off so we’re expecting to be really busy again.
“We think the Zoella range will go really well, it’s massive with the teens and pre-teens.
“Last year we tested the water and it was huge, not just for this store but for Superdrug as a whole, with really good numbers so let’s go for it again.”
The Perfume Shop is traditionally busy at Christmas and senior sales assistant Sophie Hooper says they’re ready for the Black Friday rush too.
She said: “We’ve got all our temps in as well so we’re expecting a very hectic day but it will be good and lots of fun.
“Last year was the first time it really took off here but it was very popular and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Dorothy Perkins is catering for late night bargain hunters with a 10pm closing time and Manager Lisa James said: “We’re expecting to be very busy again, with gift vouchers and the smaller items. Last year took everyone by surprise but we’re ready for it this time.”
The Yankee Shop had a fantastic first Christmas at the Quadrant last year and manager Alison Thomas is expecting a repeat with Black Friday buyers very keen again.
She said: “We’ve taken on four extra staff and we’re getting big deliveries in every week and we expect the advent calendars to go well that night too.”
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: “The lead up to Christmas has been growing and we’re looking forward to Friday and expecting a busy day ahead of a busy weekend.
“We had very good reports from the retailers last year which was the first time it really took off and I think they may even have been taken by surprise by it.
“But they’re definitely geared up for it this time and we’ve got plenty on here over the next few weeks so it’s all set up for a successful Christmas.”
