{"id":2621,"date":"2013-01-05T22:47:40","date_gmt":"2013-01-06T03:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/?p=2621"},"modified":"2013-01-05T23:04:49","modified_gmt":"2013-01-06T04:04:49","slug":"boxing-day-in-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/archives\/2013\/01\/05\/boxing-day-in-london","title":{"rendered":"Boxing Day in London"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Time<\/a>There is a lot said about Boxing Day sales in London and the great shopping experience you can enjoy. I got to be part of this on the 26th of December 2012.<\/p>\n

First thing you should know about most of Central London. A tube strike has been happening for several years now. The unions want to ensure people get paid better to work on this day, but there’s been no solution. As a consequence, most central tube lines or areas stop functioning.<\/p>\n

Buses work. Taxis work. Taxis are also on regular metered fares on the 26th, which is unlike on Christmas Day (the 25th).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Getting to Harrods (Knightsbridge) or most of the High Street (Oxford Circus, Bond Street) is a challenge if you can’t use the tube. So use a taxi.<\/p>\n

What about the sales themselves?<\/p>\n

Some stores have genuinely good discounts. Some stores like Selfridges also have an online presence, so whatever you get in store is also available via online delivery.<\/p>\n

The crowds are insane. Walking around Bond St will confirm that. Many queue to get into stores, seen at Next & Selfridges, but for the latter there are other entrances so use common sense.<\/p>\n

I get the feeling that Londoners usually don’t shop on this day. Its mostly out of towners or tourists.<\/p>\n

Many stores continue to have sales right up till January. Same prices, same deals, even on January 4 the following year! Just no more crowds :)<\/p>\n

John Lewis apparently remains closed on the 26th, electing to open on the 27th only.<\/p>\n

Overall, its OK if you want to get 30% off something at Dior\/Chanel\/Hermes\/Prada\/etc. It seems those brands generally don’t continue sales maybe past that day. But for anything else? I’m not so sure…<\/p>\n

Watches are also on sale. But I’ve never paid retail prices for nice watches to begin with – shops usually provide discounts anyway.<\/p>\n

Should you go for the experience? Only if you enjoy crowds & sale bins. You will queue to go in. You will be shopping in a rush. You will queue to pay. Bring entertainment to quell the waiting periods!<\/p>\n

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