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Black Friday: Tesco, Argos, PC World and Boots websites crash in shopping frenzy Black Friday: Tesco, Argos, PC World and Boots websites crash in shopping frenzy
(35 minutes later)
A number of retailers experienced technical difficulties this morning as shoppers rushed online to get a Black Friday bargain.A number of retailers experienced technical difficulties this morning as shoppers rushed online to get a Black Friday bargain.
The websites of Tesco, PC World, Argos and Boots were down as they struggled to cope with a surge in demand from bargain hunters in what is expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the year. The websites of Tesco, PC World, Argos and Boots were down as they struggled to cope with a surge in demand from bargain hunters in what is expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the year. GAME, which launched its Black Friday promotions at midnight, was also down.
The Curry's website instructed shoppers to join an online queue with an estimated waiting time of 30 minutes to shop online, adding:"We're really sorry that the huge demand for our deals means you’re having to wait." Meanwhile, the Curry's website instructed shoppers to join an online queue with an estimated waiting time of 30 minutes to shop online, adding:"We're really sorry that the huge demand for our deals means you’re having to wait."
Elsewhere, fights broke out at several stores and police had to be called in with concerns over “customer conduct”.Elsewhere, fights broke out at several stores and police had to be called in with concerns over “customer conduct”.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to three Tesco stores and an Asda in London in the early hours of the morning amid fears of confrontations in heated queues. Metropolitan Police officers were called to three Tesco stores and an Asda in London in the early hours of the morning amid fears of confrontations in heated queues. Tesco branches in Cardiff and Belfast also reportedly saw scraps as customers came to blows after hours of queuing.
Tesco branches in Cardiff and Belfast also reportedly saw scraps as customers came to blows after hours of queuing.
Black Friday has killed @Tesco #BlackFridayBlackout pic.twitter.com/hoJVZoUu6OBlack Friday has killed @Tesco #BlackFridayBlackout pic.twitter.com/hoJVZoUu6O
Nice handling of Black Friday uk. @GAMEdigital @Tesco @Argos_Online @curryspcworld pic.twitter.com/5SEpFzE4aANice handling of Black Friday uk. @GAMEdigital @Tesco @Argos_Online @curryspcworld pic.twitter.com/5SEpFzE4aA
Traditionally an American shopping day, Black Friday has gained relevance in the UK in recent years. More than one in three families will do their Christmas shopping this Friday, according to research by Microsoft and Retail Week, making it the biggest shopping day so far this year.Traditionally an American shopping day, Black Friday has gained relevance in the UK in recent years. More than one in three families will do their Christmas shopping this Friday, according to research by Microsoft and Retail Week, making it the biggest shopping day so far this year.
The New West End Company, which represents businesses on London’s busiest shopping streets — Oxford Street, Regent Street and New Bond Street — expects £220 million being spent on the three streets alone today.The New West End Company, which represents businesses on London’s busiest shopping streets — Oxford Street, Regent Street and New Bond Street — expects £220 million being spent on the three streets alone today.
Black Friday is also expected to become the busiest online shopping day of 2014, with Visa predicting £360,000 spent every minute online with 8.5 million transactions.
Last year, Amazon said it processed four million orders, a record for the UK, on Black Friday. At John Lewis, online traffic between 7am and 8am was 14 times more than anything the group had seen before.Last year, Amazon said it processed four million orders, a record for the UK, on Black Friday. At John Lewis, online traffic between 7am and 8am was 14 times more than anything the group had seen before.