Written by: Keith Tully
Published: 25th November 2014
Last updated: 1620hrs, Friday 28 November
You guessed it - Black Friday. The American phenomenon that is now a monumental retail event in its own right here in the UK.
This year, it falls on Friday 28 November 2014 and many UK retailers will be opening their shutters at the crack of dawn or putting live a whole host of promotional offers on their websites - though online offers are often ramped up on the Monday after Black Friday for another day of designated retail carnage known as Cyber Monday.
Based on research from RetailMeNot, it is estimated that Brits will spend around £1.3 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday on December 1.
The online retail behemoth's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are already underway though offers are being constantly added and updated. You can access the latest deals here.
The supermarket chain has announced it will be 'giving customers its biggest ever Black Friday event', with up to 70% off more than 200 items from its electronic, entertainment, mobile, DIY and toy ranges. The offers will be in-store and online at Tesco.com
The popular catalogue chain store has announced: "On Black Friday we'll be holding a huge sale on stock from our ranges of tech, toys, TV and more. Discounts are available online and in selected stores though Argos haven't released more details on which branches these will be.
Those penguin-loving scamps at John Lewis refuse to be beaten on price and Black Friday is no different. They've announced on their website that 'Black Friday is set to be bigger than ever' and that they'll have 'great value offers available across hundreds of electrical products including; tablets, laptops, televisions, small and large electrical appliances. Discounts are offered online and in-store.
The up-market department store is getting in on the act; their online holding page for Black Friday deals is already live though no offers will be posted until Black Friday itself. There has been no word whether these offers will be available in-store.
Currys are joining the party by announcing on their website: "Black Friday with a bang – we’ll have incredible savings online & across the store on everything from cookers, TVs and tablets to washing machines, fridge freezers & speakers. Don't forget to get in quick, because once they’re gone, they’re gone." You can view online offers here.
River Island, the ever popular high-street fashion firm, will be luring in some serious online sales with their four-hour window of opportunity on Black Friday. You can get 20% off everything online between 11am and 3pm on Black Friday with the code TREAT28.
After a cut-price cooker? Or a discounted dishwasher? Appliances Online are another retailer embracing Black Friday with 'heavily discounted white goods' available online at AO.com. They hail it as 'our biggest ever Black Friday mega event'.
The mammoth online fashion retailer is, as expected, slashing prices with discounts of up to 70%. Check out the Outlet section of their website with deals from the likes of French Connection, Carhartt and Lipsy.
GAME
As you would expect, GAME has some fun lined up for Black Friday with a number of deals planned on consoles, games and accessories. GAME themselves say: Check back here from 6pm on Thursday 27th November for hourly announcements in the run up to the biggest and best offers starting from midnight in stores and online."
B&M, also known as B&M Bargains, are slashing prices on already discounted brands including lots of electrical items. They've announced on their website and social channels that you can "Bag yourself a bargain with great Black Friday deals on some of our hottest electricals". They specifically name-checked Lavazza coffee machines and Akura HD TVs. They will also be offering 10% off everything in-store from 5pm until stores close on Black Friday itself.
Hewlett Packard are getting involved too by offering discounts on a range of printers and accessories. Keep an eye on their Black Friday section; some offers are already live but we're expecting more to be added as Black Friday approaches.
Boots are onboard for Black Friday and Cyber Monday according to their website where they have announced: "This year Boots' Black Friday is even bigger, and we're giving you more deals than ever before across four days!". Deals are available online and on the high street.
Popular catalogue firm Very can't hide their excitement about Black Friday and have announced on their website: "You're going to be getting your hands on some amazing deals on the season's most wanted gifts and fashion for loads less so don't miss out!". Sales begin at 7am on Black Friday online at Very.co.uk
Gap are embracing Black Friday this year by offering a wide selection of designer items in their sale collection. Their online sale has already begun. Use code BLKFRIDAY for up to 50% off on Friday only.
Luxury lingerie firm Ann Summers will set even more pulses racing with their Black Friday sale which has already begun. Careful of browsing in the office!
The UK's flagship carrier BA are also throwing a four-day sale running from Black Friday until Cyber Monday with £100 discounts on £1,000 spend for two adult tickets. Flights include destinations such as New York, Mauritius, Los Angeles, Cape Town, Orlando and Cyprus.
Maplin launched its first Black Friday sale last year and is getting involved again across all 217 stores and online. The electronics specialist has knocked £100 off the £150 Veho sound bar speaker system - one example of the deals on offer. The discounts are available from 9am on Friday 28 November.
Lakeland specialise in kitchenware and home products and will be offering half-price discounts in-store and online. The sale lasts for the entire four days from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday whilst stocks last.
Trendy fashion retailer Banana Republic are particularly well-known in the US so it's no surprise their UK stores are also onboard the Black Friday bandwagon. They're offering 30% off all purchases this Friday in-store as well as a number of deals online.
Apple offered discounts on iPads and Macbook Pros last year and are set to offer more discounts across a range of products this time around. Discounts are expected to kick off at 00:01am on 28 November and run until 11:59 that same day. They'll be available to UK shoppers in the Apple online store as well as the high street Apple Stores.
The supermarket chain is running deals on Friday and Saturday whilst stocks last, though we're told the shelves are restocked on the Saturday so don't panic if you have to work on Black Friday! Deals are in-store only - here's a list of participating stores. Deals will be available on LED TVs, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, consoles and games, and much more.
Laptop computer specialists Lenovo have a Black Friday section on their website with a number of deals set to go live first-thing on Friday morning. You can view those deals here.
Popular fashion retailer All Saints will be offering 20% off everything in-store on Black Friday and this will expand to the web in time for Cyber Monday.
The supermarket chain is embracing Black Friday discounts for the first time this year. Its promotions will start on 28th November and last for three days or until stocks last.
DIY giants B&Q will be offering deals in-store only on 28th November only. Product details will be released on 27th November.
High-end shoe store Kurt Geiger are getting involved with Black Friday deals already underway. They're offering 20% off everything in-store and online (use code F&FKG20) from now until Sunday 30th November.
The footwear site stocks the likes of Uggs, Converse and Birkenstock and is offering 20% off everything they stock with the code BF20 on the 27th and 28th November.
Fashionable apparel and accessories chain Urban Outfitters are offering up to 50% off a huge range of items. These discounts will be available in-store and also online using the code #UOBLACKOUT. Sales will run from November 27 until Dec 1.
RDX, the up and coming manufacturer of boxing, MMA and Muay Thai gear and accessories are also getting involved this Black Friday by offering 20% off everything on their website, from gloves to punch bags. They say: "This year we are heading into Black Friday with not just one day of sales, but the whole weekend of sales too! From Friday 28th November until midnight Sunday 30th November we have 20% off everything."
Harvey Nichols will certainly cause a stir by joining the Black Friday bandwagon - they're offering 25% off their Autumn/Winter 2014 ranges both in-store and online. Use the code Smashing25 for website purchases. The sale is underway and ends on Cyber Monday.
British sports footwear brand Norman Walsh will be offering 30% off their popular Casual Heritage and Fell & Trail ranges. The sale starts on Black Friday and is one-day only, so you'll have to be quick.
We haven't seen official confirmation but the word on the street is that there's 40% discounts at French Connection online with the code FC40B from Friday to Monday. Give it a whirl!
Uber popular female fashion chain Topshop will awash with screaming girls thanks to their 50% discounts being offered in-store. Sale starts Thursday and ends on Cyber Monday.
Upmarket contemporary women's and men's fashion chain Whistles are offering 30% off everything online. Sale starts on Black Friday.
High fashion womenswear brand Modalu are offering 30% off everything online, except for their Heirloom range, using the code BLACK30.
Selfridges aren't missing the Black Friday boat by offering 20% off online purchases when using the code SELF14. The sale lasts until Sunday 30 November and begins on Black Friday.
Carphone Warehouse will be offering a range of Black Friday deals including £200 off normal prices. The sale will start online and across 200 stores at the same time on Friday and Saturday. It will continue until midnight on Tuesday 2 December.
Numerous Debenhams stores are getting festive for Black Friday by rolling out complimentary mince pies and prosecco from 6pm on Thursday evening to herald the beginning of the Black Friday sales. Fragrances will be VAT free saving 20%, whilst there are half-price savings on women's dresses, men's shirts, and some cookware and electrical items to name just a few.
The Body Shop have announced a number of Black Friday specials on their website for purchases made online and in-store. You get £25 off a £50 spend, £10 off a £25 spend and £5 off a £15 spend, so discounts ranging from 33% to 50%. Use the code 'TREAT' when shopping online.
Figleaves - the popular UK retailer of lingerie, swimwear, shapewear & nightwear - has joined the Black Friday party and is getting their sales in early. They're offering 25% off all full price items on their website on Thursday 27th November until midnight.
If you're a fan of luxury teas, coffees or hot chocolate, you'll be glad to hear there's 20% off everything at Whittard of Chelsea both online and in-store. For website purchases, use the promotional code EVENT to validate the 20% discount.
Iconic British heritage brand Hunter, renowned particularly for their wellies, are offering 20% off everything online and at their flagship Regent Street London store. The sale is live as of Thursday morning with cost-cutting available on boots, bags and outwear.
BHS are throwing a massive 50% sale both online and in-store from Black Friday through to Sunday evening. Discounts will be available across all ranges including gifts, home, furniture and clothing.
Motoring and cycle specialist Halfords have announced their Black Friday involvement, with a representative saying: "Black Friday and Cyber Weekend are firm favourites in our customer's calendars and this year, we have fantastic deals on big-ticket products such as bikes, tech, audio and Sat Navs." Deals will be online and in-store.
This isn't just Black Friday, this is M&S Black Friday. They've got up to 30% off in-store and also online. The sale runs from Friday until close of play Monday.
Travel specialists Red Sea Holidays are throwing a weekend sale for Black Friday, saying: "Book next year's holiday this weekend and save twice as much with our Double Discount Sale: save a guaranteed £150 per booking on Winter and a guaranteed £200 per booking on Summer."
Uber cool menswear brand Mastrum, who specialises in technical outerwear and apparel, have a 20% discount code to use on anything on their official website. The code is MASTRUMBLACK20.
Eyewearbrands, the online fashion eyewear store, are offering huge discounts across a range of glasses and sunglasses including numerous designer brands. There's up to 70% off - see for yourself.
Popular fashion retailer New Look are throwing a '50% off frenzy' both in-store and online whilst stocks last. The sale runs from Black Friday and the discounts apply to selected items.
Author
Keith Tully
Partner
Keith has been involved in Business Rescue since 1992, during which time he’s worked for both independent and national firms. His specialties include company restructuring matters and negotiating with HMRC on his clients behalf.