The sales start on Boxing Day - 26th December, and continue for the month of January, but the keenest bargain hunters get there early to be first through the doors. In Oxford Street queues formed outside shops ahead of pre-dawn openings for the start of their sales. At Brent Cross, in north London, more than 1,000 people were queuing at 3.30am for the 'Next' clothing store's sale which began at 4am. Some hardy individuals even camped outside the shops to be first in the line.

Consumers who hit the shops were rewarded with discounts of as much as 80% as department stores joined the sales frenzy. The shops are absolutely heaving as the sales got into full swing, with more than half a million people converging on London's West End.

Famous sales include the biggest, most prestigious shops such as Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and John Lewis. Department stores are always a good bet – you're likely to find everything you need under one roof, including much-needed refreshments!

It's a good time to stock up on cheap gadgets, and there's no better time to invest in some designer threads.

Some people are taking their partners shopping with them, and buying their Christmas presents in the sale – a practical but unromantic way of making sure you get the gift you really want. For a less exciting but less stressful shopping experience, online retailers are also getting in on the act with January sales of their own.

The most organised of all are those who are already doing their present shopping for next Christmas, in the January sales!