Asda and Sainsbury would have 100 and 221 stores respectively opening till midnight for Christmas shopping. Marks and Spencer would also do so with 28 of its stores. Morrisons and Debenhams would keep their outlets open till 10 and 11 PM.

It is expected to be the busiest shopping weekend of the year, with people looking Ninetendo Wii consoles and Go Go Hamsters the most. Many stores will extend their trading hours in the final shopping days before Christmas, with some staying open until midnight.

 
Sunday, December 20 would be the first such day, where market demands and trends woulf be tested. Many stores have promised to introduce a one hour browsing period that would extend the normal six hours of trading in shops. From Monday, certain stores will choose to operate on a 24 hours basis. This would include more than 800 supermarkets and smaller food stores till Christmas eve.
 

The major supermarket and retail chains have already announced their plans in this regard. From Monday morning, Tesco will be open for 24 hours a day, across 495 of its larger stores. Asda would do so with 223 stores and Sainsbury would have 24 such stores. They will also have stores open in extended timings.
 
While Asda and Sainsbury would have 100 and 221 stores respectively opening till midnight, Marks and Spencer would also do so with 28 of its stores. Morrisons and Debenhams would keep their outlets open till 10 and 11 PM, till Christmas.
 
As many of those doing their last minute Christmas shopping would be engaged in a larger case of panic gift shopping, the snow is not expected to deter them.