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Black Friday 2018: shoppers warned of rip-off deals as retailers look for boost Black Friday 2018: shoppers flock online in search of best deals
(about 2 hours later)
Struggling retailers are hoping for a boost from this year’s Black Friday, with as much as £1.5bn expected to be spent online alone on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Mobile phones have taken a key role in Black Friday as shoppers snapped up deals from their bedrooms, at the bus stop and on the train – rather than heading to the high street.
Britons are expected to spend £10.4bn in total over the US-inspired event which for some retailers now lasts almost a fortnight – 3.1% more than in 2017, according to analysts at GlobalData. Argos said that half of its orders so far had been made via a handset, up from 40% last year, while Carphone Warehouse said its sales through smartphones were up 8% year on year. Midnight until 1am was the busiest period for online shopping with 87% of sales made via mobiles, according to one estimate.
About a quarter of shoppers will put their purchases on to credit cards, according to research carried out by advisory firm KPMG ahead of the day. With all the action online, there was little sign on Friday morning of the frenzy over deals in shops seen several years ago when there were fights in stores over discount TVs – barring scenes at Aldi where there were reports of queues on Thursday for limited supplies of the supermarket’s Kevin the Carrot cuddly toy.
Some retailers have already been discounting for months as they try to encourage shoppers who have reined in spending due to uncertainty over jobs and the economy amid the political turmoil of the Brexit negotiations. Debenhams and Game Digital’s websites crashed on Thursday evening but on Friday most major retailers’ websites were up and running, except Superdrug which told customers they were in a queue because of an “exceptionally large number of visitors on the site”.
Tesco will kick off the day of discounting on Friday , opening more than 700 of its larger stores at 5am, while ailing department store Debenhams is hoping to boost sales by opening some stores at 8am and staying open until 11pm at its London flagship outlet on Oxford Street. John Rogers, chief executive of Argos, said he expected about 70% of the retailer’s sales to be online this year compared with just under 65% last year.
Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and Asda began their discounting earlier this week as what used to be a one-day event has grown to a 10-day affair. He said sales were about in line with last year. “In the current retail environment we thought it might be more challenging. The reality is it is quite tough out there for consumers at the moment. With the uncertainty they want to make sure when they do shop they are getting a great bargain.”
Argos said it had invested £2.5m in a new distribution centre in Croydon, south London, to help it supply 15,000 more products for same-day delivery into stores on Black Friday. The switch to online will heap more pressure on warehouse and delivery staff at the busiest time of the year.
Fashion chains including New Look, River Island and Topshop are also offering Black Friday discounts after a warm start to the autumn left them with piles of unsold coats and knitwear. There were demonstrations outside Amazon warehouses in the UK led by the GMB trade union and strikes in Germany, Italy and Spain as unions criticised high pressure on the online retailer’s warehouse workers.
However, experts warned shoppers to be on their guard for rip-off deals and purchases that could tip them into debt. “Amazon’s refusal to negotiate with unions is not only a violation of workers’ rights, it is dangerous. By not addressing workers concerns, hazards remain, and the injuries continue,” said Christy Hoffman, general secretary of the UNI Global Union. “Next-day delivery should not mean a lifetime of pain for Amazon workers.”
Research from consumer group Which? released this week found that nearly nine in 10 “deals” available on Black Friday last year had been even cheaper at other times of year. Amazon said its European delivery network was fully operational. “Amazon has created in the UK more than 25,000 good jobs with a minimum of £9.50/hour and in the London area, £10.50/hour on top of industry-leading benefits and skills training opportunities.
Jon Holt, head of financial services at KPMG, said: “Black Friday plays on the excitement of spending while frictionless finance and cheap credit puts that buying buzz within everyone’s grasp. “All of our sites are safe places to work and reports to the contrary are simply wrong.”
“Our poll found that 51% of respondents didn’t even think the discounts they’re offered on Black Friday are a genuine saving! Having an economy disproportionately built on debt is not sustainable for consumers, retailers or financial services.” Experts have warned that retailers are risking a dive into the red over the discount weekend as they slash prices and squeeze profits to win sales in a lacklustre market, with the web-only sales day of Cyber Monday taking place next week.
Retailers are also at risk of diving further into the red as a result of slashing prices, according to credit ratings agency Moody’s. It said retailers without a carefully thought-out strategy only succeeded in booking sales they would have made anyway in December, but at lower levels of profit. Julie Palmer, partner at advisory firm Begbies Traynor, said: “It seems retailers are now coming to a crossroads, being damned if they do, and damned if they don’t participate in Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. If they do, then margins won’t be significant despite the investment needed for it, and it could result a negative knock-on effect on future sales during the crucial Christmas period. If they don’t, then store footfalls and online traffic will decline, public perceptions may be affected and a longer-term drop in sales may be experienced.
Ratula Chakraborty, professor of business management at the University of East Anglia, said: “High street shops may well have a bleak winter in struggling to compete with online retailers. We can expect to see more shop closures in the new year as the online shopping onslaught continues to kill the high street and create ghost malls with more boarded-up shops.” “The high street is already in a precarious position and an emphasis on increasing profits is becoming paramount. Getting their Black Friday – and Cyber Monday – strategy right will be crucial to ensure it’s not a false bubble that bursts as soon as the deal ends.”
She said there could be bigger bargains for shoppers in January. “Canny shoppers might well prefer to wait until the new year when prices could be even lower as demand dries up and retailers become desperate to boost revenues and shift unsold stock,” she said. Where to get the best deals
Amazon UK
What’s happening? Amazon’s 10-day Black Friday sale runs until 25 November. There is also a pop-up event in east London on 22-25 November, with prize giveaways and cocktail, jewellery and candle-making workshops (doors open for 24 hours on Black Friday).
Where? Go to Amazon’s Black Friday page.
What? There will be “deals of the day” and “lightning deals” – products that are discounted for a short period of time.
The biggest reductions include a 55in Philips 4K Ultra HD TV for £1,199 – a £300 discount – and more than £100 off De’Longhi coffee machines.
AO
What’s happening? The AO.com sale is underway.
Where? Find out more here.
What? Promotions include a Lenovo 15.6in laptop reduced by £30 to £269 and a Toshiba smart 4K ultra-HD TV discounted by £90 to £279.
Argos
What’s happening? Argos launched its discounts on 16 November.
Where? The Argos Black Friday website is here.
What? Deals include 30% off Hive smart cameras at £129 and a Fitbit Blaze smart watch for £109, reduced by £20.
Asda
What’s happening? Asda has rejoined the Black Friday party with a fortnight of promotions that run until 27 December and are billed as “green is the new black”.
Where? Online promotions can be found here.
What? Offers include a Little Tikes Stem Jr WonderLab reduced by £30 to £60; a Hot Wheels slot track set for £45, down from £74.87; and an Oral-B toothbrush for £50, down from £98.
Asos
What’s happening? The online fashion retailer has knocked 20% off everything with the code HELLO20.
Where? Find out more here.
Bensons for Beds
What’s happening? The bed retailer’s sale runs until 27 November.
Where? In stores; online deals can be found here.
What? Up to half price on some beds and mattresses, for an Allegra Ottoman bed frame is selling for £299.
Body Shop
What’s happening? Body Shop offers 40% off hundreds of items and 25% off gifts on its website, with the code 19805.
Where? Go to the website.
What? Promotions include an online-only Black Friday bundle for £40 (worth £88).
Boohoo
What’s happening? The online fashion retailer is offering big discounts on dresses.
Where? Find out more on the website.
What? There are discounts of 30% to 88% on dresses, for example a Holly one-shoulder bodycon dress now sells for £31.
Boots
What’s happening? The Boots sale has started and runs through to Cyber Monday.
Where? In stores and online.
What? Offers include a Ted Baker Stately Collection gift set at £22.50, 50% off, and a No7 Mega Collection at £150, 61% off.
Boux Avenue
What’s happening? The lingerie chain is offering Black Friday flash deals from 18-26 November, with up to 40% off some items.
Where? In stores and online.
What? A Clara robe is discounted to £24 from £30 while a Julia satin PJ set is reduced to £36 from £45.
Carphone Warehouse
What’s happening? The “Black Tag” event at Carphone Warehouse runs for almost a month until 4 December.
Where? You can shop online here.
What? Pay monthly deals include a £200 saving on a Samsung Galaxy S9, which comes at a monthly cost of £26.99, and £100 off an iPhone 7, which comes in at £25.99 a month – both without upfront fees. Pay-as-you-go deals include a Nokia 6 for £159, £60 off.
Clarks
What’s happening? The shoe retailer has different daily deals.
Where? The Black Friday deals are here.
What? Clarks is currently offering 25% off adult boots.
Currys PC World
What’s happening? The electrical retailer launched its sale two weeks early, offering discounts of up to £600 on hundreds of products in store and online.
Where? “Why Wait?” deals can be found here.
What? Deals include a Sony Bravia 55in smart 4K Ultra HDR OLED TV for £1,899, a £400 saving; £500 off a 55in LG 4K ultra-HD TV at £1,299; £200 off HP laptops; an LG American-style fridge-freezer for £899, £400 off; and a Hotpoint 8kg 1400 spin washing machine for £239, a £110 discount.
Debenhams
What’s happening? Debenhams is doing 12 days of Black Friday deals until 1 December – payday weekend. More than 100 of its 165 stores will open earlier than usual on Black Friday, at 8am, and the majority will stay open until 8pm or 9pm, with a third closing at 10pm or 11pm.
Where? The online sale is here.
What? There are half-price women’s, men’s and kids’ boots, up to half price on beauty, perfumes and electricals; and 40% off women’s and kids’ knitwear. Some of these offers are time-limited.
eBay
What’s happening? eBay has a sale from 19-30 November.
Where? You can find offers here.
What? Offers include an LG 65” 4K UHD Smart LED TV for £679.
Gap
What’s happening? The US retailer has started its Black Friday deals.
Where? Online only here.
What? Gap is offering 40% off full-price items and an extra 25% off sale items until 24 November.
Habitat
What’s happening? The Habitat sale is billed as black five days, from 21-26 November, with discounts on hundreds of items.
Where? In stores and online.What? A Jerry dining table with four chairs discounted from £790 to £540 and an Industry pendant light reduced from £95 to £25.
Halfords
What’s happening? Black Friday started early at the bike and car parts retailer, and runs for a month and a day until 2 December, online and in store. New offers will be released on Black Friday.
Where? Customers can find out more here.
What? Deals include discounts on bikes from the adult Carrera and Pendleton ranges; more than half price off some tool and socket sets; and 20% off all kids’ bikes and some scooters.
Hamleys
What’s happening? The Hamleys sale runs until 26 November in stores and online, with savings of up to 50% on hundreds of toys and games.
Where? The online sale is here.
What? Half price offers include an Angler Attack Drone at £35 and a Maisie & Jack My Little Supermarket Set at £25; while the supersize soft toy Unice the Unicorn is reduced to £30 from £70.
Hobbs
What’s happening? The women’s fashion retailer is offering 20% off everything from 19-25 November.
Where? In stores and online.
What? A Mariana coat and a Saskia trench are reduced to £159.20 each, from £199. On top of the 20% site-wide discount, there are also daily deals on some items.
Hobbycraft
What’s happening? The arts and crafts retailer has kicked off its sale early.
Where? Online and in stores.
What? There are half price offers such as a storage trolley for £25; £7 off a kids easel at £18 and wreaths for 50p.
House of Fraser
What’s happening? The embattled department store chain is offering up to 60% off across fashion, home and beauty, until Monday.
Where? In stores; online promotions can be found here.
What? Promotions include a Karen Millen striped high-neck top for £45, reduced from £60; an ISAA Olivia deep V-maxi dress for £47.60, reduced from £119; and an Antler Pluto cabin spinner suitcase half price at £65.
Hummingbird Bikes
What’s happening? The luxury bicycle maker is running a Black Friday sale from 23-25 November, knocking 30% off all models.
Where? There is limited availability in store – the sale is mainly online.
What? Its foldable commuter bikes will cost £2,447, down from £3,495 for the single-speed model; £2,622 discounted from £3,745 for multi-speed; and £3,147, down from £4,495 for the electric model.
John Lewis
What’s happening? John Lewis says it has lowered hundreds of prices. Because of its “never knowingly undersold” promise, the department store will also be price-matching some competitors again throughout the Black Friday sale period.
Where? Customers can find out more here.
What? Offers include a Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet discounted by £39 to £159 and a Bosch washing machine reduced by £80 to £349.
Laptops Direct
What’s happening? The tech website offers more than 40% off on laptops, drones and other gadgets.
Where? The sale is here.
What? The website has an HP Pavilion x360 laptop for £299.97, £100 off; and three electriQ smart lighting wi-fi bulbs reduced to £30 from £44.91.
Lidl
What’s happening? Lidl took part for the first time last year. Its second foray into Black Friday starts on 23 November.
Where? In stores while stocks last.
What? Offers include £150 off a Toshiba 43-inch full HD smart LED TV, to £199; a Nutribullet blender discounted by £20 to £39.99; and a yard of Spanish chorizo for £7.99.
Marks & Spencer
What’s happening? M&S will not be participating in Black Friday again this year but will be releasing details on any promotions before Christmas.
Morrisons
What’s happening? Morrisons kicked off its sale early, on 14 November. Most of the deals are time limited – “when it’s gone it’s gone”.
Where? In stores – customers can find out more here.
What? Offers include a magnum of prosecco for £10, a £30 beer advent calendar with 24 bottles and a pack of four British steaks for £10.
Mothercare
What’s happening? The Mothercare sale runs until 26 November.
Where? In stores and online.
What? Mothercare offers up to 60% off all toys, up to 50% off some car seats, bedding and nursery furniture; and 25% all clothing, footwear and accessories.
Natural History Museum
What’s happening? The Natural History Museum shop has a different offer every day between 22 and 27 November.
Where? Online deals can be found here.
What? Deals include a Shackleton Signature jumper reduced by half to £62.50 and 50% off some toys.
Notonthehighstreet
What’s happening? The online marketplace launched its “One Day Wonders” on 18 November with discounts of up to 30%. The actual Black Friday sale runs from 23 November until 26 November, with savings of up to 50% on thousands of products.
Where? On the website.
What? Deals include 30% off handmade zodiac necklaces and family advent calendars.
PlayStation
What’s happening? The sale lasts until 2 December or until stocks run out.
Where? In stores and online.
What? The PlayStation VR Starter Pack + Astro Bot sells for £179.99 at participating retailers, a saving of more than £90. Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 game is reduced by £20 to £34.99.
Sainsbury’s
What’s happening? Sainsbury’s has just launched its Black Friday sale, which runs until Monday. It is offering 25% off all Tu clothing and has deals on its entire range, from groceries to electronics.
Where? In stores and online.
What? Current offers include a bottle of Baileys for £15, down from £20, and a Ferrero Rocher Collection for £8, reduced from £10. Sainsbury’s also promises promotions on tablets, HD TVS, laptops and household appliances with savings of up to £220.
Sports Direct
What’s happening? The Black Friday sale starts on Thursday and runs until Monday. Those who spend £50 get a £10 voucher to use in-store and online.
Where? In stores and online here.
What? There are discounts of 65%-80% on mens, ladies and kids trainers and tops.
Superdrug
What’s happening? Superdrug kicked off its sale early for its loyalty card holders in store and online. Deals are now generally up for grabs until 27 November, or until stocks last.
Where? Online promotions can be seen here.
What? Deals include a Philips Sonicare ProClean toothbrush reduced to £59.99 from £179.99; a beauty box reduced to £12 from £25 on Black Friday only; and savings on fragrances, only in stores from 21-27 November.
Ted Baker
What’s happening? Ted Baker’s technology partner, Proporta, is offering up to 60% off on its website.
Where? The Black Friday sale runs on 21-25 November here, followed by a Cyber Week sale from 26 November until 3 December here.
What? Deals include Ted Baker folio cases for iPhone X/XS, reduced to £23.97 from £39.95.
Tesco
What’s happening? Tesco launches its Black Friday sale at more than 700 Superstores and Extra stores at 5am on Friday, similar to last year. Promotions last until Monday.
Where? In store only – the company shut its non-food website, Tesco Direct, in the summer.
What? Offers include a Sharp 40-inch smart full HD TV with Freeview at £179, £100 off; and a Shadow of the Tomb Raider video game at £24, down from £49.
Virgin Experience Days
What’s happening? The Black Friday Weekend sale runs from 23 until 26 November.
Where? Go to the website.
What? There will be discounts of up to 75% on supercar track days, afternoon tea treats, Segway adventures and football stadium tours.
Wayfair
What’s happening? The Wayfair sale is under way and runs until 3 December. Surprise flash deals launch on Black Friday every three hours, until Cyber Monday.
Where? The sale is here.
What? Offers include a Zeller kitchen trolley reduced by 27% to £94.99 and a Jasper three-seater sofa discounted by 14% to £609.48.
Wiggle
What’s happening? The sports retailer’s sale lasts for almost a month until 26 November.
Where? You can find deals here.
What? Deals include 50% off an X-Tools bike tool kit at £24.99 and a Castelli Aero Lite jacket at £87.50.
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