Remembering the golden age of Sunderland's January sales

Christmas has gone and the new year has begun '“ and once again shoppers are hunting the bank holiday bargains.
Joplings sale 28 December 1981 old ref number 39103   A three piee suite for £49.95 instead of £299.00 was the prize for Mr Peter Dumble today after spending 36 hours on the pavement outside Joplings Store.  Mr Dumble of Doxford Park, and his son David (16) were first in the queue when they arrived with sleeping bags at 9 o'clock on Saturday night.Joplings sale 28 December 1981 old ref number 39103   A three piee suite for £49.95 instead of £299.00 was the prize for Mr Peter Dumble today after spending 36 hours on the pavement outside Joplings Store.  Mr Dumble of Doxford Park, and his son David (16) were first in the queue when they arrived with sleeping bags at 9 o'clock on Saturday night.
Joplings sale 28 December 1981 old ref number 39103 A three piee suite for £49.95 instead of £299.00 was the prize for Mr Peter Dumble today after spending 36 hours on the pavement outside Joplings Store. Mr Dumble of Doxford Park, and his son David (16) were first in the queue when they arrived with sleeping bags at 9 o'clock on Saturday night.

The period after Christmas and the first week of the new year has always been the prime time for shops to hold their annual sales.

Today we have delved through our picture archives to pull together some pictures of shoppers in Sunderland taking advantage of the price drops.

Joplings sale 27 December 1980 old ref number 34728 Photographer John Forbes
The Green family at the head of the queue.  Mrs Green is pictured at the head of the queue with Audrey (daughter) and her husband (Gordon) behind.   Mrs Green is waiting to buy a £500.00 three piece suite for £50.00.  Husband Gordon a new bed and Audrey some bedroom fittings.  see Saturday December 27 1980Joplings sale 27 December 1980 old ref number 34728 Photographer John Forbes
The Green family at the head of the queue.  Mrs Green is pictured at the head of the queue with Audrey (daughter) and her husband (Gordon) behind.   Mrs Green is waiting to buy a £500.00 three piece suite for £50.00.  Husband Gordon a new bed and Audrey some bedroom fittings.  see Saturday December 27 1980
Joplings sale 27 December 1980 old ref number 34728 Photographer John Forbes The Green family at the head of the queue. Mrs Green is pictured at the head of the queue with Audrey (daughter) and her husband (Gordon) behind. Mrs Green is waiting to buy a £500.00 three piece suite for £50.00. Husband Gordon a new bed and Audrey some bedroom fittings. see Saturday December 27 1980
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Today shops appear to have sales on all year round and many people question if the reductions are as good as advertised.

But in the past, a new year sale was a sale, and it was a big event for the shops and their customers.

Our photographs show people queuing overnight for the bargain of the day – going prepared with extra warm clothing as they prepare for several hours in a queue.

Shoppers are pictured having a good rummage through the offers.

Woolco Sales old ref number 9622 l   2 January 1976Woolco Sales old ref number 9622 l   2 January 1976
Woolco Sales old ref number 9622 l 2 January 1976
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Do you have memories of sale days in the past? Were you one of those members of staff who had to face the crowds? And what was your best bargain purchase in the sales?

We’s love to hear from you.

Email your memories of the sales to [email protected]