Tips and tricks for Cyber Fortnight

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday 2024 falls on November 29th.
 

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is one of the biggest retail days of the year and officially kicks off the Christmas shopping period. Originating in the US, the Black Friday sales always fall on the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving.

Starting on Black Friday, retailers offer huge discounts on their products, often continuing these amazing deals right through the weekend to Cyber Monday. Traditionally, Black Friday was a day for huge in-store discounts - a chance for people who had spent the day before munching turkey to get out and get some retail therapy. Over time, it's grown in popularity and expanded to online retailers too. With the cost-of-living crisis putting a strain on all our bank balances this year, Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity to pick up all of your Christmas essentials at a heavily discounted price!

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday 2024 falls on December 2nd.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is a slightly more modern creation and was originally all about online shopping, but nowadays you can get just as many great deals online and in-store. The Cyber Monday sales mark the end of Cyber Weekend.

When it first started, Cyber Monday was the day to snap up deals on fashion and lifestyle brands, whereas Black Friday was all about getting a saving on tech products. Over the past few years, this distinction has faded and you can generally find offers across all sectors throughout the weekend.

How much do people spend on Black Friday?

Due to factors like the cost-of-living crisis, the total UK Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales are expected to remain flat this year, with spend growing marginally by 0.4%, to £8.7 billion (the same as 2022). Our recent 2023 study saw more than 43% of consumers state that they will spend around the same amount during Black Friday weekend as they did last year.

However, Cyber Monday is expected to do slightly better, with our experts predicting that cautious consumers are likely to hold off on jumping the gun and waiting until the last minute to ensure they’re getting the best and cheapest price for their goods.

How long does Black Friday last?

Despite the name, the deals last a lot longer than just one day. Black Friday and Cyber Monday boast a full weekend of amazing price cuts known as the Cyber Weekend, but many retailers begin offering some discounts as much as two weeks before then. Argos, for example, ran a full month of deals back in November 2017, and last year, Amazon started their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from the 8th of November (several weeks before the big day). Boots have already launched an online page for their Black Friday deals, which started in early November this year.

The most savvy shoppers will be on the lookout for flash sales pretty much as soon as November hits. The best way to do this is to research any big-ticket items you want to buy in advance so you know what it usually costs - that way you'll know a good deal when you see one.

Whatever happens before Black Friday, you should definitely be ready for promotions to start in the early hours of the morning on Friday 25th November for online retailers, and in-store from 8am.

Is Black Friday a bank holiday?

No, Black Friday is not considered a bank holiday in the UK, but rather a shopping event. Black Friday originated in the US and is celebrated a day after Thanksgiving. While the British public doesn’t celebrate it, it is widely utilised in order to secure bargains and deals - both online and in-store.

Do people spend more money online or in-store on Black Friday?

This year, sales through offline channels, such as shopping centres and high-street stores, will outdo online channels, reinforcing the post-Covid boom that shows consumers returning to in-person shopping.

Which area in the UK spends the most money during Black Friday?

You guessed it, London! On a regional level, Londoners and consumers living in the South-East are set to spend the most. Our Northern Irish friends however will take the crown for the strongest year-on-year growth, splurging the most on electricals, clothing, and footwear.

Can you use NHS discounts on Black Friday?

This will totally depend on the retailer you’re shopping with, but typically, no. It is quite rare to stack discount codes with Black Friday sale offers, but it is worth a try!