A record number of retailers experimented with Christmas Day trading this year and reported boisterous sales. CWS opened 36 Welcome c-stores around the country as a pilot, with volunteer staff on triple pay. All of Scottish chain Morning Noon and Night's 41 outlets were open, and sales, primarily of top up items, were up on last year's Christmas Day. MD Eddie Thompson said: "Sales were 6% up for the two weeks to January 2, despite atrocious weather." The West Midlands Co-op served 6,000 customers at 15 stores this year, in the third year of a Christmas Day opening experiment, according to a spokesman. The society has developed a Christmas replenishment list of 20 high demand items, including nutcrackers, cranberry sauce, bread and milk. Sales were double last year's as local awareness rose. The spokesman said: "There is a demand for top up items, and with the excellent results this year we will be opening next Christmas." Londis recommended all of its 2,000 stores should open on Christmas Day. "We do not know how many followed our advice yet," said a spokesman. Three Sainsbury's Shell forecourt Locals in the southern belt of the M25 were the only major multiple outlets to open. Sales were driven by demand for petrol from the integral Shell filling station said a spokeswoman. Woolworths convenience format General store in Balham and two other outlets in multicultural areas were trading and business was reported as comparable to a typical Sunday. A spokeswoman said business was brisk at the instore pharmacy. Last minute presents such as CDs and sale-housewares were snapped up. Grocery distress purchases were minimal. {{NEWS }}