I think people waited up for the online sale to start and bought it at just after midnight when the sale went live.
I'd been tipped off by a member of staff I know about the sale and got up at 6 to be in the store for opening time at 7.
I thought I'd just have a look online to see if the sale was really happening before I left at about 6.35. I was amazed to see the sale online too. I was after sylvanian families stuff for my DD. By that time about 50% of the 33 items they carried online were sold out including all the big items except the department store. I know the night before nearly all the stock was available.
I managed to get the following for £77:
Sylvanian Families Persian Cat Family
Sylvanian Families Applewood Department Store
Sylvanian Families Day at the Seaside Sylvanian Families Village Gift Shop
Sylvanian Families Maces Mouse Family
Sylvanian Families The Caravan
It's been desptached today - hurrah
At 7.00 in the store there were a handful of people in the toy aisle. All the rest were (off shift) sainsbos staff. I spent about another £90 in store getting stocking fillers, stuff for some nieces and nephews and presents for three friends childrens birthdays I knew were coming up. Can't say exactly what I bought as I've had to leave it in the car waiting for a child free moment to sneak it upstairs - there's another approx £25 of Sylvanian family sets I know - DD's birthday is at the beginning of January so have hopefully covered that off too.
I texted my best friend as soon as I'd paid but by the time she got to the store at 9.15 the shelves were apparently well stripped.
It obviously paid to be really quick!