Shoppers queued outside Marks and Spencer stores in Wales on Monday after the high street chain launched a huge clothing sale.
Clothes were on sale for as much as 90% off on the first day Marks and Spencer opened their doors in Wales after they were banned from selling non-essential items in lockdown.
Shops that were already open across Wales are now allowed to sell non-essential items as restrictions start to be lifted.
It means supermarkets are now able to sell products like clothing and homeware and garden centres are also permitted to re-open.
To mark the occasion shoppers flocked to Marks and Spencer stores in Cardiff and Swansea to take advantage of the huge sale launched on the first day of non-essential trading.
But the chain's decision to open and launch the sales has also prompted questions by some shoppers.
In Cardiff, a queue of shoppers stretched down Queen Street with a waiting time of around 20 minutes on Monday afternoon.
Once inside the store customers were able to shop within the ground floor and buy non-sale items or queue again for a one-way section of the store reserved for the sale.
With prices marked down by as much as 90% items such as blazers were reduced from £65 to £6.50 and shoes from £75 to £7.50. Meanwhile children's clothes were on sale for as little as 50p to clear stock left from before lockdown.
Queues were also reported in Leckwith, Cardiff, and in Swansea, with shoppers waiting 45 minutes to join a further line inside the store.
Commenting on a WalesOnline photo of the queues outside, one retailer questioned how the chain has been able to open its clothing departments.
They wrote: "So how has Marks & Spencer been allowed to sell clothing? Yes food hall open but isn't it still largely a clothing store? Esp the one in Queen Street? Yet my company cant open til 12th April?
"How far are they stretching the 'non essential' items ...so clothing should still be undercover or blocked off and rest you can buy to your hearts desire."
Another person said: "This is absolutely ridiculous the small independents that sell non-essential items have to remain shut but the supermarkets who have made a fortune out of the whole situation are now allowed to sell everything. Another slap in the face for all small businesses."
And another added: "Small independents are still closed. Small independents restrict numbers so a safer environment. Small independent stores need customers after months of closure. Small independents are the hearts of our towns. There are always different rules for the big boys."
A M&S spokeswoman said: "We welcome the Welsh Government’s plans for the phased re-opening of retail. As we have done throughout the pandemic, we’ve liaised with local authorities to make sure we follow their advice and trade within the guidelines."
It had previously been suggested that non-essential retail in Wales could also open on March 15 in line with hairdressers, however earlier this month the Welsh Government delayed when those businesses can reopen.
In line with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan for England, all shops in Wales, including all close contact services, will be able to open from April 12.
