Gone are the days when Boxing Day was the biggest annual sales event in the UK.
Now, that day comes before Christmas in the form of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – meaning both are a great opportunity to make savings in advance of the festivities.
If you’re in the process of buying a property, as many are thanks to the reduced stamp duty rates, Black Friday could help you kit out your new home with some genuine bargains.
But when is Black Friday and what kind of deals can you expect? We’ve rounded up everything you need to know here…
What are Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday began in the United States of America and is usually held on the first Friday after Thanksgiving – the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which is the online-only sales day that follows Black Friday the following Monday, were introduced in the UK by Amazon and follow the same dates as the United States.
When is Black Friday 2020?
This year’s Black Friday event in the UK is being held over the weekend from Friday, November 27 to Monday, November 30, which is Cyber Monday.
However, many Black Friday deals start to appear days, or even weeks, in advance, so it’s worth keeping your eyes on the major retailers from the beginning of November.
Is it really cheaper on Black Friday?
Research from consumer group Which? last year found that only one in 20 Black Friday deals were cheaper or available at the same price during other times of the year.
However, many tech items like computers and gaming consoles are generally regarded as cheaper across the Black Friday event than at most other times during the year.
What to buy on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
With the vast majority of Black Friday deals this year expected to be online, due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, many offers and discounts could appear well in advance of November 27.
Look out for discounts on big-ticket items to improve your home, such as:
- 4k televisions
- TV sound systems
- Crockery sets
- Coffee machines
- Kitchen appliances like cookers and hobs
- Linen and bed sets
- Sofas
Those items, including Apple devices, are worth looking out for if you’re aiming to kit your home out with the latest tech.
Last year’s Black Friday event saw as much as £600 taken off the price of many 4K televisions, while Apple MacBooks and AirPods were also heavily discounted by some retailers.
Voice assistants, too, like the Google Nest and Amazon Echo Dot usually have money off during the Black Friday event and can be great additions to a home.
Tips on getting the best deals on Black Friday
Check prices with multiple retailers
During Black Friday, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and take heavily promoted discounts as gospel.
But it always pays to shop around, even during a huge sales event like Black Friday, so check the price of items across several retailers before jumping into any purchase.
Look at the price history
As Which? claimed, not all Black Friday deals are as exciting as they may seem at first glance.
Use an app like Pricerunner to look at an item’s price history before you buy it – this might reveal that the item has been cheaper in the past, in which case you might be better off waiting until after Christmas for more of a discount.
Get ahead of the competition
Black Friday is always a busy few days and if you’re not quick out of the blocks, you could miss out on certain offers.
Once you’ve decided on the things you’re keen to buy, sign up to retailer newsletters so you’ll be among the first to know about any discounts or money-off codes ahead of the Black Friday weekend.
Follow your favourite brands on social media, too, for early updates on potential deals.
Check retailer returns policies
We all change our mind on purchases sometimes, which is why it’s well worth checking each retailer’s returns policy before you start spending on Black Friday.
Most retailers have returns policies when it comes to non-faulty goods, but they can vary, so read the small print before you buy.
Watch out for scams
Unfortunately, huge retail events like Black Friday do attract fraudsters and scammers.
Make sure any emails you receive, purportedly from retailers, are genuine before clicking links and ensure your anti-virus and malware protection is up to date on your computer when buying items online.
Further reading…
As well as looking to Black Friday deals to improve your home, you can also save money on utility bills if you know how.
Take a look at our guide which outlines how you can save money on your heating bills.
