January Sales 一月大减价

For shopoholics, the post-Christmas period means only one thing – sales! Across the country, prices are slashed on clothing, electronics, home furnishings and more, but London is the place for serious shopping, and you can certainly pick up some amazing bargains.

　　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!

　　GLOSSARY 词汇表

　　shopoholics 购物狂
　　bargains 廉价或减价的货品
　　pre-dawn 天亮前的
　　individuals 个人
　　hit the shops 去商店
　　heaving 人声鼎沸
　　department stores 百货商店
　　under one roof 在一个屋檐下
　　gadgets 通常指小电器
　　unromantic 不浪漫的
　　prices are slashed 大幅度减价
　　bargain hunters 专拣便宜货的人
　　hardy 耐寒的，能吃苦的
　　camped 露营
　　sales frenzy 疯狂的购买减价商品
　　got into full swing 达到购买高潮
　　a good bet （包罗万象的）好去处
　　to stock up on 储备
　　threads （习语）衣服
　　getting in on the act 参与到某种活动中