Boxing Day Sales are massive in London. If you're lucky enough to be in the British capital on 26 December, this is everything you need to know.
The end of year sales is the chance for retailers to get rid of unwanted stock and compete for shoppers’ business before the new year. While the sale period often extends until mid January, the first few days are often the biggest. Bargain hunters flock to the most famous shopping spots to seek out the best bargains. Do your research right and you could find all of your Christmas wishes come true
Shop the sales in London:
The best places to shop in London come Boxing Day 2017. Trading hours updated 11 December 2017.
1. Harrods
Harrods is just as much of a London icon as the River Thames or Big Ben. The luxury department store stocks fashion and accessories for men, women, and children as well as housewares, beauty products, and gourmet food and wine. In the past Harrods has hosted huge Boxing Day events like Florence Welch performing or the entire cats of Elf the Musical.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Designer clothing and accessories
Trading hours: 10am–8pm
2. Selfridges
Selfridges is a UK-based department store. The main retail sections include fashion, accessories, homewares, and tech items, from a mixture of luxury and accessible labels.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Fashion
Trading hours: 11:30am - 6pm
3. Westfield London
Westfield is a global shopping centre giant, and its London site is ‘packed to roof’ with large retailers, speciality stores, culinary options, and services to make a day of shopping convenient and enjoyable for the whole family.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Everything! There are so many stores in one place.
Trading hours: 7am–11pm
4. Liberty
Liberty provides shoppers with an eclectic and creative mixture of design, innovation and style. Unique fashion, accessories, and homewares grace its shelves in the true manner of an authentic design emporium.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Homewares
Trading hours: 10pm–8pm
5. Topshop (Oxford Circus)
Topshop brought High Street London style to the world. The fast fashion store has become quite a name in and of itself through well-placed collaborations with some of the fashion world’s biggest names, such as Kate Moss and Christopher Kane.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Fashion
Trading hours: 9:30am–9pm
6. Debenhams
The Debenhams department store offers fashion, accessories, homewares, furniture, and electrical items all under the one roof. Shoppers can find the Debenhams line, as well as big name designers’ concessions.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Clothing for all the family
Trading hours: 10am - 8pm
7. House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a premium department store based in London’s famous Oxford Street. Shoppers can hope to find homeware, beauty products and upscale fashion for men, women, and children.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Fashion
Trading hours: 9:30am - 9pm
8. John Lewis
John Lewis is a chain of luxury department stores. Its largest store is located on Oxford Street.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Fashion and electronics
Trading hours: Closed on Boxing Day. Opening hours for the 27th December 9am–9pm
9. Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols is a department store selling luxury fashion, food and wine, beauty products, accessories, and homewares.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Designer fashion and accessories
Trading hours: 10am–8pm
10. Fortnum & Mason
Quintessentially London since 1707 – and with a tradition of excellent service and exquisite shopping – Fortnum & Mason is an unmissable part of the London retail scene. Expect to find fashion, restaurants, beauty rooms, and retailers selling homewares, fine food, and wine.
Best for Boxing Day bargains on: Hampers and food gifts
Trading Hours: Closed Boxing Day. Open the 27th December from 10am–9pm.
Shopping online
Not in London? Or just not out of your pajamas? Don't fret, you can shop the best London Boxing Day sales online from the comfort of your sofa.
Boxing Day Deals & Coupons
What you need to know about Boxing Day sales in London:
What can you hope to buy on Boxing Day?
Check out the big-ticket items first. Computers, electronics and appliances often are the first to be put on sale on Boxing Day. Fashion also, is often heavily discounted (especially seasonal fashion) along with any stock that stayed after Christmas.
How to get the most out of Boxing Day sales from London
Time your arrival.
Plan ahead. The best stuff will probably be pounced on during the first few days, so make sure you plan ahead and know when the store (or stores) you're planning on visiting start their sale days. Many sales last until mid-way through January, and the last few days will often see even further price cuts (although you might be faced with slim pickings).
Make a list. Boxing Day sales can be overwhelming. Keep yourself on track with a priority list. It can help to set yourself a budget for each item, so you don’t overspend.
For electronics: Do your research on the best store to find the particular tech/electrical item you're after. Electrical items traditionally get their prices slashed on Boxing Day, so retailers will compete with one another. Shop around until you find the best deal.
For fashion: Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable to take on and off. Take a spare pair of socks or stocking for trying on shoes.
For online shoppers: Don't forget that "Boxing Day" sales often start early through online stores – even before Christmas. Keep up to date with the sale times to avoid missing out.
