Shoppers around the world are snapping up bargains in post-Christmas sales. Stores are trying to lure bargain hunters with discounts of up to 75 per cent. The run-up to Christmas is usually the best time for stores. However, the global recession has meant many people have spent much less this year and sales have been down. Many stores have reported sales fell by five percent from last Christmas. Sales of luxury goods such as brand bags and perfumes have been hit worst, falling by up to 35 per cent. Retailers are now struggling to attract customers, who know prices will fall more than in previous years. Many people have deliberately saved their money until the New Year sales, knowing stores will slash prices.
Several of the big department stores and retail chains in the UK and USA opened their doors at five o’clock in the morning. Shoppers started queuing in bitterly cold weather from midnight. Many said braving the cold was worth it to get the good bargains. Penny Owen, from Sale in England, said she would cut back on her spending in 2009: “We’re worried about what will happen in the upcoming year. This will be our last big shop. Our new year resolution is to make our money go further, which means going shopping less.” Many others echoed her feelings. On the other side of the Atlantic, Marlene Diarra, an accountant from New York, said: “I’ve lost confidence in money. I’ll stock up in these sales for the rest of the year.”
Task 2.Mark the following statements T (True) or F (False).
| a. | There are many bargains to be had in the sales following Xmas. |
| b. | The few days before New Year is usually the best time for stores. |
| c. | Spending on all items fell by 35 per cent in the Xmas period in 2008. |
| d. | Shoppers decided to save their money until after Xmas this year. |
| e. | Some big department stores opened for business at 5.00 am. |
| f. | The first bargain hunters started queuing at 3.00 am. |
| g. | An English woman said she wouldn’t go to any more big shops. |
| h. | An American shopper has bought lots of things she needs for 2009. |
Task 3. Match the following synonyms from the article:
| 1. | snapping up | a. | dropped |
| lure | b. | seconded | |
| 3. | fell | c. | on purpose |
| 4. | retailers | d. | remainder |
| 5. | deliberately | e. | buying |
| 6. | queuing | f. | reduce |
| 7. | cut back on | g. | concerned |
| 8. | worried | h. | attract |
| 9. | echoed | i. | stores |
| 10. | rest | j. | waiting in line |
Task 4.Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one. combination is possible):
| 1. | snapping up | a. | to attract customers |
| Stores are trying to lure | b. | worth it | |
| 3. | Retailers are now struggling | c. | money go further |
| 4. | Many people have deliberately saved | d. | bargains |
| 5. | stores will slash | e. | bargain hunters |
| 6. | queuing in bitterly | f. | their money |
| 7. | braving the cold was | g. | rest of the year |
| 8. | Our new year resolution is to make our | h. | cold weather |
| 9. | Many others echoed | i. | prices |
| 10. | I’ll stock up in these sales for the | j. | her feelings |
Task 5. Look back at the article and write down 5 questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
(Based on http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/0812/081229-discounts.html)