Title : Black Friday spree: Shoppers will spend £8bn this weekend
link : Black Friday spree: Shoppers will spend £8bn this weekend
Black Friday spree: Shoppers will spend £8bn this weekend
- Discounts on some products are expected to be so massive that retailers and sellers will actually make a loss
- Retailers using bargains to lure shoppers through the door – as they struggle to reverse drop in sales this year
- Price cuts of 40 to 50 per cent being promoted on many clothes and electricals, with some even bigger deals
- Record number of stores are running promotions as they fear losing business to rivals or online giant Amazon
Shoppers will spend nearly £8billion this weekend as stores slash prices for Black Friday.
Discounts on some products are expected to be so big that sellers will actually make a loss.
Retailers are using bargains to lure shoppers through the door – as they struggle to reverse a drop in sales fuelled by a squeeze on household budgets.
Price cuts of 40 to 50 per cent are being promoted on many clothes and electricals, with the biggest deals seeing around two-thirds knocked off the cost.
A record number of stores are running promotions as they fear losing business to rivals or online giant Amazon.
Bargain hunters stayed up late to make it to the midnight opening of Game in Stratford, east London. Shoppers will spend nearly £8billion this weekend as stores slash prices for Black Friday
Shoppers wait outside the entrance to Game in Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, east London after the video game retailer opened its doors at midnight for Black Friday
Even Next has felt the pressure, and for the first time has brought forward its Boxing Day sale to start at 3am today. It has previously refused to hold sales in the run-up to Christmas.
Spending across the board is expected to be up 7 per cent on last year to reach £7.8billion over four days from today, according to the Centre for Retail Research and VoucherCodes website.
The warm autumn means fashion sellers are looking to offload masses of unsold coats, boots and woollens.
Meanwhile industry data has shown a slump in sales of furniture and household electricals from washing machines to TVs. These products will have particularly big reductions.
However some analysts warn that the price cuts could amount to disastrous self-harm. Apart from potentially selling items at a loss, there are huge costs involved in delivering items bought online and handling returns.
James Brown, from pricing experts Simon-Kucher, warned: 'Black Friday is now a real experience and shoppers love finding a bargain.
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
Industry data has shown a slump in sales of furniture and household electricals from washing machines to TVs. These products will have particularly big reductions
Amazon's Cambridgeshire warehouse is one of four opened by the company employing a total of 3,500 permanent staff
| 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 | ||||||
'But for some businesses they will slash prices so much that they accidentally turn it into their most disastrous day of the year.
'We've reviewed thousands of promotions by hundreds of businesses, and we're confident that many will make dramatically less than they expect.Some will even make a loss.'
Retail analyst Richard Hyman described Black Friday as 'crazy' in terms of damaging 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, Black Friday will essentially suck Christmas sales forward. For Amazon it's a stick with which to beat the industry.'
There was evidence of the issues facing stores as it emerged yesterday that two chains – furniture store Multiyork and shoe firm Shoon – are in trouble. Multiyork, which has 50 shops, has gone into administration. Shoon, with six shops, is also set to call in administrators – though it may be sold.
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 Thanksgiving.
Research by PricewaterhousCoopers suggests half of adults will buy something in the sales – with the average spend £200. Lisa Hooker, from PwC, said: 'Retailers can't afford not to have a Black Friday promotion.'
The Amazon products are loaded onto pallets (pictured) and into trucks and vans for delivery drivers to complete the process
Hard at work: Lee helping with the Argos orders and picking out a 'Hatchable' toy. Items are in coded areas and staff directed by AI, via the headsets
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, http://ift.tt/2zibSnD
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.
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