Selfridges sees highest profit in 100 year history

Millions of shoppers swamped the high street in search of bargains as Selfridges recorded the most profitable hour in its 100 year history.

Crowds lined streets across Britain from 1am before excitement spilled into violence as stores opened, with fights reportedly breaking out amid stampedes in some stores.

By 10am, department store Selfridges had taken just over 2 million pounds at its tills across the UK, a two per cent increase on its previous highest takings. Analysts said foreign shoppers and the mild weather were partly to thank for the retail boom - which is expected to reach 3.5 billion pounds.

Diane Wehrle, insights director at retail analysts Springboard, said sales were "surprisingly positive" amid the overall downturn of high street performance against online. She said: "It is encouraging to see High Streets performing significantly better than Boxing Day last year.