The Black Friday rush began today with Britain’s shoppers going on a £7.8billion spending binge this weekend.
Retailers are desperate to reverse recent falls in sales and shopper numbers caused by a squeeze on household budgets, with discounts on some products expected to be so big that sellers will actually make a loss.
But most major shops and shopping centres including the Trafford Centre in Manchester, Bullring in Birmingham, Meadowhall in Sheffield and Oxford Street in London were remarkably quiet this morning.
One video widely shared on social media showed a lone man looking rather sheepish as he walked into Currys PC World on London’s Oxford Street as it opened its doors this morning, so he could pick up a pre-ordered laptop.
Price cuts of at least 50 per cent are being promoted on fashions, footwear and household electricals. Some are promising cuts of 75 per cent amid claims of products being sold at a loss just to get them off the shelves.
A lone shopper can be seen in the Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester this morning as Black Friday begins
A quiet Black Friday at the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham which looks deserted this morning
Black Friday on Oxford Street at 8am, with very few shoppers on what is expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year
Asda in Harrow, North West London, is empty at 7.30am today despite them selling 50-inch flatscreen TVs for under £300
The crowds stay away today despite Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield opening early for Black Friday
Source: Frankie Mack / BBC
Spending is expected to be up 7 per cent on last year to reach £7.8billion over the four day sales weekend, according to the Centre for Retail Research and VoucherCodes website.
A record number of stores are running deals for fear of losing business to rivals, particularly the online goliath Amazon, which said in the first six hours of today it had sold more than 63,000 toys and 32,000 beauty products.
Some of the best-selling items included include Fire TV stick with Alexa voice remote and Echo Dot, the Nintendo Switch, Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 cordless drill and Lego Ninjago Movie Manta Ray Bomber toy.
Several retailers’ websites have been experiencing so much traffic in the past 24 hours that they crashed – with companies including Boots, Game, Ted Baker, Next and Calvin Klein all affected, according to analysts.
Simon Wharton, managing director at e-commerce agency PushON, said: ‘Last night, before Black Friday even got underway, a number of e-commerce sites had already gone down as they couldn’t cope with traffic surges.
‘Not long after 9pm, Ted Baker was struggling to meet demand with users temporarily unable to access the site. GAME was also down for about three hours yesterday as the retailer ‘updated’ its site for Black Friday.
‘And Calvin Klein had opted to pay for adverts on Google, yet when users clicked on the ads, they were led to a blank page. This morning, Next was also experiencing issues with its website.’
Shoppers were seen pouring into stores including a Tesco Extra in Manchester and a Game at Westfield Stratford in London overnight, but most other outlets were sparsely populated this morning.
Many retailers have been offering bargains ahead of Black Friday and the cuts were stepped up overnight. As a result, millions of people were shopping through the night from their beds on phones and laptops.
But some analysts and industry leaders warn that, in some cases, the price cuts amount to a disastrous exercise in self-harm.
Apart from potentially selling items at a loss, there is a huge cost around delivering items bought online and then handling returns. Evidence of the difficulties emerged yesterday with news that two chains, the furniture retailer Multiyork, and the shoe business Shoon, are in trouble.
Multiyork, which has 50 shops and a factory, has gone into administration and Shoon, which has six shops and concessions in department stores, has filed notice of its intention to appoint administrators although it may be sold.
The Christmas period is make or break for most retailers and the Black Friday sales, which have been imported from America, have turned traditional shopping patterns on their head.
The relatively warm autumn means fashion retailers are looking to offload masses of unsold coats, boots and woollens.
A handful of keen bargain hunters try their luck as Tesco at Kingston Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne opens its doors at 5am
Black Friday on Oxford Street at 8am today, with very few shoppers on what is expected to be the year’s biggest shopping day
People exit Oxford Circus London Underground station today, with the area much quieter than retailers would have hoped
Industry data has shown a slump in sales of furniture and household electricals, everything from washing machines to TVs, where there will be particularly big reductions.
James Brown of pricing and promotions experts, Simon-Kucher, warned: ‘Black Friday is now a real retail experience and shoppers love getting out to find a bargain.
‘But for some businesses they will slash prices so much that they accidentally turn the day into their most disastrous day of the year.
‘We’ve reviewed thousands of promotions by hundreds of businesses, and we’re confident that many businesses will make dramatically less than they expect out of cutting prices on Black Friday.
‘Some will even make a loss, although many won’t actually realise it as the sales numbers look good at first glance. One business we examined recently had the unwelcome realisation that roughly half of all their promotions were loss making.’
Shoppers rush into a Tesco Extra store in Gorton, Manchester, moments after security guards open the doors at 5am today
Two shoppers carry a Toshiba TV together at the Tesco store in Gorton, Manchester, this morning as Black Friday begins
A police officer monitors shoppers at the Tesco in Gorton (left) as one man carries a TV at a Tesco in Stockport (right)
Shoppers wait outside Game at Westfield Stratford in East London after the video game retailer opened its doors at midnight
Bargain hunters stayed up late to make it to the midnight opening of Game in Stratford. Shoppers will spend nearly £8billion this weekend
Shoppers queue up outside an H&M store on Oxford Street in London’s West End on Black Friday at 6am this morning
Respected retail analyst, Richard Hyman, described Black Friday as ‘crazy’ in terms of damaging store profits. ‘Much of the trade would love to opt out but in this weakest of all retail markets, few have succeeded,’ he said.
‘With demand thin and consumer confidence brittle, Black Friday will essentially suck Christmas sales forward. For Amazon it’s a stick with which to beat much of the industry.’
The boss of the Fat Face clothing chain, Anthony Thompson, who refuses to take part in Black Friday, described the sales as ‘ludicrous’.
He said: ‘If you’re a clothing brand or gifting retailer, you don’t want to discount at the wrong time. It’s ludicrous to suggest it’s a good idea in clothing.
‘UK clothing is on its knees and it’s killing itself. We’re weakening our proposition and encouraging people to buy on price.’
Some estimates suggest the Black Friday weekend will hoover up 40 per cent of all spending on Christmas. Amazon was at the forefront of bringing the American sale event to the UK in 2010.
In the US, Black Friday comes on the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Asda, which is owned by Wal-mart of the USA, initially pushed the event.
Workers try to keep up with demand at the Amazon fulfilment centre near Doncaster in South Yorkshire today
Amazon said in the first six hours of Black Friday it had sold more than 63,000 toys and 32,000 beauty products
Some of Amazon’s best-selling items included the Nintendo Switch, a Bosch cordless drill and a Lego Ninjago Movie toy
| Sale type | Black Friday | Sat/Sun | Cyber Monday | 2017 total | 2016 total | YoY % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK online | £1.15bn | £0.71bn | £1.27bn | £3.13bn | £2.79bn | 12% |
| UK offline | £1.45bn | £1.87bn | £1.33bn | £4.65bn | £4.49bn | 4% |
| Total | £2.59bn | £2.58bn | £2.60bn | £7.78bn | £7.28bn | 7% |
| Source: VoucherCodes | ||||||
However it scaled back involvement after ugly scenes at stores as people pushed and fought over cheap TVs.
More recently, retailers like Argos, which launched deeper Black Friday cuts at 9pm last night, John Lewis and the other major department stores have championed the event. And now, virtually all the chains and independents are offering deals.
Research by accountants PwC suggest half of adults will buy something in the sales with the average spend up from £170 last year to £200.
Consumer Markets leader at PwC, Lisa Hooker, said: ‘Technology and electrical items are in demand this Black Friday weekend. Retailers who specialise in these areas can’t afford not to have a Black Friday promotion in the UK – it’s here to stay.
‘UK shoppers are increasingly willing to part with their money on Black Friday and we expect the fastest spending growth to come from younger shoppers, who are more likely to purchase on impulse.’
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PERFECT BLACK FRIDAY DEAL
Consumers will spend seven per cent more this year over Black Friday compared with 2016 according to new research from VoucherCodes and the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) with more than £7.8 billion worth of goods set to be sold.
However, savvy shoppers looking for electronics might want to save their cash until Cyber Monday – which will see sales of around £2.6 billion.
During 2016 shoppers saved on average £121 by waiting until the last minute before committing their cash.
Experts believe high streets and shopping centres will see five per cent more sales than online as retailers slash costs of electronic goods, fashion items and beauty products.
Paul Lewis, Senior Director of Marketing at Voucher Codes said: ‘Last year, we saw a 78 per cent increase in the number of visitors to the VoucherCodes website compared to the week prior, showing there’s a massive appetite for offers and discount codes over the Black Friday weekend.
‘Cyber Monday is often the last day to take advantage of these fantastic offers, so we’re not surprised that savvy shoppers are holding out a little longer for the maximum possible discount. This year we’ll be helping our customers save even more, by adding a record-breaking number of offers and discount codes to our site; helping people to save money on treating themselves, as well as on gifts for friends and family.’
In previous years, some shoppers came to blows, such as these in Wembley, north west London as they attempted to by cheap televisons
Consumers need to prepare a plan to secure the best deal and decide whether to try online or in store
According to Anita Naik, Lifestyle Editor at VoucherCodes, consumers should develop a strategy to secure the best deals.
She said: ‘Black Friday is now one of the biggest shopping days of the year in Britain, which means if you’re planning to jump in and do some Christmas shopping you can expect crowds on the high street and busy retail websites. There are ways to get the most out of the day without having to fight it out with fellow shoppers and my number one rule is to be prepared. This means know what you want, know where to get it from and know how to grab it before everyone else.’
Ms Naik said looking on a website such as VoucherCodes can cut down on the work.
She said: ‘Set a budget and write a list. The key thing is to know what you want to buy and, most importantly, how much it usually costs.
‘It’s easy to get drawn in by the discounts on the day, so knowing how much the things you want cost pre-Black Friday is key. If you’re the type of person who gets easily swayed into buying things on impulse, make sure you review your available Black Friday budget ahead of the day and stick to it like glue. It may sound boring, but bargains are only bargains if you need them!’
Ms Naik said some of the deals go live shortly after midnight, so it might be worth setting an alarm. Also there are online lightening deals.
Despite the threat of chaotic scenes, most sales will be made in store according to experts at the Voucher Code website
Get a REAL deal this Black Friday: About to splash out? Don’t buy a thing until you’ve read our guide to the jewellery gems, tech treasures and fabulous fashion on sale
The biggest shopping day of the year — Black Friday — is finally upon us. Usually lasting over the weekend, it sees the High Street slash prices on thousands of goods, often by hundreds of pounds.
An American import (Black Friday falls the day after their Thanksgiving holiday and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season), it was adopted by the UK seven years ago — and gets bigger every year.
This year, there are 24 million of us gearing up for the bargains and data suggests that the average Black Friday shopper in the UK will splash out £246, meaning that figures look set to rise by almost 10 per cent from last year.
But the experts at consumer watchdog Which? warn that it’s worth checking just how good the deals really are.
A year-long investigation, which the Mail highlighted at the beginning of the week, showed an astonishing six out of ten of last year’s ‘deals’ were for products that were, in fact, cheaper or the same price at other times of the year.
But there are bargains out there. You just need to know where to find them! Alice Smellie reveals her top tips…
Flawless beauty: The stylish steals
Lip smacker: Lord and Berry Vogue Lipstick, £7.50, down from £15 — enter BLACK50 at checkout lordand berry.com/uk
Grow up: Nanogen 5IN1 Thickening Shampoo/Conditioner for Men, £7.96, down from £9.95, nanogen.co.uk
Left, Fake Bake The Face, £14.99, buy one, get one free, fakebake.co.uk, and right, Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, £249.99, down from £375, current body.com
Top five items you should look out for
Here are Which? magazine’s five electrical household essentials to search for today. All of these scored well in consumer tests and are carried by multiple retailers, so it’s worth shopping around to get the best deal, as it’s likely competing shops will cut the prices on them all.
THE CORDLESS VAC
Dyson V6 Animal: This lightweight vacuum cleaner is designed to remove pet hair from carpets and furniture. It also features a wide head that is suitable for all floor types.
What price should you pay: If this isn’t less than £180, it’s no cheaper than normal.
THE CAPSULE COFFEE MACHINE
Nespresso Inissia: Makes espresso, cappuccino, latte and ristretto, among others, from coffee pods.
What price should you pay: This usually costs from £50 to £70, so avoid Black Friday deals unless you spot it for less than £50.
THE BLENDER
Nutribullet 600: A powerful blender that can be used to make smoothies and juices.
What price should you pay: Usually £60 to £70 but we saw it on sale for £40 last January. If you can find it for less than £60, it’s a deal.
THE TELEVISION
LG OLED55B7V: This is a 55-inch TV with great picture quality.
What price should you pay: It’s normally on at £2,500 — but retailer very.co.uk will slash the price to £1,500. There may be even further reductions on Black Friday, so shop around. However, we may see bigger discounts in the Christmas and January sales, so it could be worth waiting if you are not in a rush.
THE PRINTER
HP Envy 5646: A powerful, wireless laser printer.
What price should you pay: It was on offer with 50 per cent off in August — it retails at £79.99 — so be sure it costs less than £40.
Tech tresures: Best gadgets on sale
Listen up: Clarity HD Bluetooth headphones in rose gold, gold, matte black and silver, £99, down from £169.99, argos.co.uk
Dream screen: Dell 28 Ultra HD 4K monitor S2817Q, £260, down from £541, dell.co.uk/blackfriday
The top five big discounts
1. Oral-B Smart Series 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush, £54.99, down from £229.99, amazon.co.uk.
2. Braun Silk-expert IPL hair removal device, £135, down from £449.99, boots.co.uk.
3. Topshop wool-blend blazer for women, £70, down from £235, selfridges.com.
4. Men’s Accurist Chronograph Watch 7003, £72, down from £240 goldsmiths.co.uk.
5. Next clothing, whose 70 per cent off sale started at 3 am, next.co.uk.
Blink and you’ll miss them…
Every year, the most popular products tend to sell out in the frenzy of Black Friday.
To help, here’s the list of the items most searched for last year. If you want any of these, put them at the top of your shopping list . . . and move fast.
1. Laptops
2. Curtains
3. Rugs
4. Kettles
5. Microwaves
Argos says that key categories last year were:
1. TVs
2. Mobiles
3. Computers
4. Video Games
5. Floorcare
Tech fans were early-bird shoppers, with 57 per cent of all deals purchased between midnight and 4.30am being video games consoles, games and tablets. John Lewis says its best electricals sellers last year were the Sonos Play 1 speaker, GHD hair straighteners and Samsung TVs, as well as the ever-popular KitchenAid food mixer.
In fashion, Ted Baker and Michael Kors took the top spots, along with Calvin Klein pyjamas and lingerie. In the home, shoppers snapped up Joseph Joseph and crockery from Le Creuset and Portmeirion.
Fashionably fabulous: Gorgeous garments available
Party on: Jacques Vert Portia Lace Dress, £89.50, down from £179, jacques-vert.co.uk (left) Immie top, £79, down from £99, fennwright manson.com (right)
Pink pouch: Mulberry purse, £88, down from £110, johnlewis.com
Dress chic: Dobell men’s velvet dinner jacket, £69.99, down from £99.99, dobell.co.uk, left, Boss red dress, £144, down from £179, hugoboss.com, right
Top tote: Michael Kors bag, £252, down from £315, michaelkors.co.uk
App’s the way to do it
This year, it’s easier than ever to check prices on the High Street against other shops thanks to the rise of consumer apps.
These download to your smartphone, and you can use them to check you’re getting the best deal.
Just open the app store on your phone, search for the name and download.
Here’s five of the best. Better yet, all of them are free . . .
Which? Reviews app: This easy-to-use app contains 8,000 unbiased product reviews, and has a handy feature that allows you to search for a particular type of product (a microwave, for instance), which it then sorts into the Best Buys from the Don’t Buys. Download free for 30 days.
MYSUPERMARKET: A comparison app that allows you to search products in all of the major supermarkets to find where branded items are cheapest.
IDEALO: Compare the prices of millions of products in almost 30,000 shops. Has more than ten million monthly users across Europe.
PRICESPY: Log in to create lists of products you want to compare or make a wish list. You can then keep returning to this list to see if any have gone on sale.
PRICERUNNER: Check deals from hundreds of the UK’s best-loved shops and websites including Amazon, Debenhams, Dixons, Tesco, Boots and Toys R Us, as well as specialist stores.
Smart Interiors: Homey furnishings with slashed prices
Tune in: Emma Bridgewater Retro Mini portable DAB/FM radio and Bluetooth speaker, £69.96, down from £89, qvcuk.com
Curl up: Dakota Silver Luxury Faux Fur Throw, £40, down from £170, Julian charles.co.uk
Dulwich Chair in Pale Blue, £347, down from £495, brissi.com, left, Marteau hand-beaten copper ceiling light, £75, down from £175, habitat.co.uk, right
Let the insanity begin! Internet jokers see the funny side as Britain gears up for the chaotic scramble to grab Black Friday bargains
It’s expected to the biggest ever weekend of shopping in Britain with consumers predicted to spend almost £8billion on deals over the next four days.
And internet jokers have already been poking fun at shoppers with a series of tongue-in-cheek memes ahead of the scramble to get a bargain on Black Friday.
Some referenced the fact that Thanksgiving Day takes place hours before in the US, saying: ‘Didn’t you say you were thankful for everything you had yesterday?’
Others shared a picture of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow running in Pirates of the Caribbean, saying: ‘When somebody gets the last flatscreen TV on Black Friday.’
Britons will spend just under £2.6billion today alone – an 8 per cent increase overall on last year – and £7.8billion over the four-day period including Cyber Monday.
