That time of year is nearly upon us and the winter sales are fast approaching.

Last year during the January sales a record breaking £2.7 billion was spent in store and online. Stores reported Boxing Day as their busiest day of the year with 10 million flocking the shops despite dreary weather.

Make sure to head to outlets such as Bicester Village in the next few weeks before the Christmas rush hits, creating a more stressful shopping experience.

The US discount day Black Friday was introduced in the UK last year in 2013 for the fist time. American retailer would significantly slash prices the after Thanksgiving to encourage shoppers back in their stores after a family focused break. In 2013 Asda jumped on the Black Friday bandwagon with incredible results. The supermarket retailer sold a month worth of televisions in 45 minutes and offered a Cyclone Explorer android for £49 and majorly reduced LG televisions and Samsung smart phones. Unfortunately the UK‘s Black Friday also got some negative attention with stampedes of shoppers, some even got arrested for arguing aggressively over a television. November 29th was Amazons most popular day during 2013 with 4 million products being sold.

The January sales are by the far the busiest days in the retail calendar with Selfridges taking 2million in its fist hour of trading on Boxing Day. The T.V show Mr Selfridge will be back on screen come winter which creates a buzz around the famous department store which generated a larger footfall and more sales transactions.

The Harrods January sale is one of the most hotly anticipated sales of the year with such a wide range of luxury offerings. In 2013 the iconic store offered hot chocolate, smoked salmon canapés and blankets to those queuing outside, there was also plenty of street performers keeping the eager shoppers entertained. With their newly opened shoe heaven section the sales will attract even more attention, The 42,000 square foot shoe heaven is located on the 5th floor and stocks shoes designed by the likes of Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Sophia Webster, Tabitha Simmons and Charlotte Olympia.

Thanks to online shopping there is no need to deal with sale stress and cans shop the Boxing day sales from the comfort of your home with Christmas leftovers and movies to keep you company but to get the best deals the department stores are bracing themselves for the biggest sales of the year.