Despite the recession, shoppers were out in full force the day after Christmas, ready to splash some cash in the many shops which had slashed prices for the traditional big sale day.

The shopping high continued yesterday, with retailers all reporting better-than-expected sales, thanks to the steep discounts they trotted out, and possibly some post-Christmas euphoria.

Department stores like Tangs, Takashimaya and Metro offered discounts of between 40 and 70 per cent on goods, attracting huge crowds on Friday and yesterday.

Tangs reported a 40per cent increase in sales over the same period last year. Flying off the shelves were beauty products, ladies' fashion and ladies' shoes, some of which were being sold at discounts as high as 70per cent.

Out of 10 retailers The Sunday Times spoke to, eight said they had seen an increase in sales of between 20 and 80 per cent over the last two days.

Even shops which were not offering discounts, such as Pazzion, a women's shoe shop in Wisma Atria, reported an 80per cent increase in sales over the last two days, compared to the week leading up to Christmas.

Caserini, a men's apparel store on the second floor of Centrepoint, said it had benefited from a spillover of shoppers from a popular large department store in the same mall. The spillover had helped improve its sales by 25 per cent, said a store manager.

But shoppers say they are not buying indiscriminately despite the shops dangling sale signs.

Many say they are taking the opportunity to buy essential items at cheaper prices.

Housewife Susan Tan, 46, said: 'There was a 50per cent sale, so I just bought a pair of sandals which I needed and I made a saving. It was a good buy.'

Likewise, Ms Anna S. Maniam, 56, who was shopping at Centrepoint with her daughter yesterday, was scouting for good bargains.

'We bought only things that we thought we really needed as we are worried about the recession,' she said. They bought food items and some clothes.

Student Daniel Poon, 21, bought shirts, but said they 'will probably be the only shopping I do all year'.

Still, not all retailers' cash registers were ringing over the last two days.

Some, such as a pushcart owner who sells Turkish handicrafts and wanted to be known only as Mr Kaya, said: 'No one will walk around Centrepoint when Robinsons has a sale. Everyone just goes straight into Robinsons and comes out with bags of shopping.'

The department store launched a sale on Boxing Day, offering up to 70 per cent off its regular prices.

It declined to comment on its sales figures.

Mr Kaya told The Sunday Times that since the Robinsons sale, his business had suffered between 50 and 60 per cent.

Retailers are hoping people will continue to shop, especially with Chinese New Year around the corner. Many have extended their sales up until the end of the year.

zureenhr@sph.com.sg