Hundreds of shoppers queued outside shops in Inverness from the early hours yesterday to bag some bargains at the Boxing Day sales.
Some stores in the city’s Eastgate Shopping Centre and local retail parks opened early, with Next proving a big draw.
There were lines of people outside the Eastgate centre from 4am, while about 280 people queued outside Next at Inverness Retail Park, which was due to open at 6am.
However, the store was forced to open 10 minutes earlier than planned to cope with the growing crowds outside the doors.
The newly extended store also took on 30 extra staff to deal with the increased demand.
Sales manager Jessica Clayton said: “There was a massive queue, it’s the biggest I’ve seen on Boxing Day and I’ve been working here for seven years.
“We had about 280 people waiting. We opened 5.50am because of the amount of people.”
She said that, despite the high numbers of people waiting in the queue, there were no problems.
The record numbers were attributed by staff to the store’s recent refit and extension.
Eastgate manager Jackie Cuddy said crowds also turned up early in the city centre.
She said: “People were queuing outside the centre at the High Street entrance from 4am.
“When the doors were opened at 6am, the queue for Next was past Game.
“Debenhams, Topshop and Marks & Spencer were open at 7am because of Next being open.
“I think a lot of people have gone for gift vouchers or money for Christmas presents so people can get the benefit of the sales.”
The Superdry store in the centre also opened an hour earlier than usual to take advantage of the crowds.
Manager Dave Hutchison said: “There was extra footfall in the centre from the Next sale so we decided to open an hour earlier.
“We normally open at nine but we opened at eight. It’s been pretty busy since then.”
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