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Black Friday: Websites swamped by record demand Black Friday: Websites swamped by record demand
(about 2 hours later)
Retailers are forecasting record online sales as part of Black Friday pre-Christmas discounting.Retailers are forecasting record online sales as part of Black Friday pre-Christmas discounting.
But John Lewis said its website was having difficulties handling the number of visitors looking for a bargain.But John Lewis said its website was having difficulties handling the number of visitors looking for a bargain.
Tesco Direct and Currys' websites were also swamped by visitors and suffered problems. Currys said it experienced "astonishing" demand overnight.Tesco Direct and Currys' websites were also swamped by visitors and suffered problems. Currys said it experienced "astonishing" demand overnight.
Apple's iPad mini and a discounted food processor were the fastest-selling products for John Lewis in early sales.Apple's iPad mini and a discounted food processor were the fastest-selling products for John Lewis in early sales.
Police were called to a number of disturbances in London and Manchester supermarkets as shoppers fought over goods.Police were called to a number of disturbances in London and Manchester supermarkets as shoppers fought over goods.
Website demandWebsite demand
Many retailers traded from midnight to maximise shopping times.Many retailers traded from midnight to maximise shopping times.
John Lewis, which offered website deals from midnight, said that to 6am, traffic to johnlewis.com was up 307% compared with Black Friday 2013. John Lewis, which offered website deals from midnight, said that between midnight and 6am, traffic to johnlewis.com was up 307% compared with Black Friday last year.
The biggest peak in traffic was between 12am and 1am as customers sought deals. The biggest peak in traffic was between 12am and 1am as customers sought bargains.
John Lewis said its fastest selling product was the Apple iPad mini.John Lewis said its fastest selling product was the Apple iPad mini.
The Nutribullet food processors were selling at a rate of one every thirty seconds, according to the retailer. It also said Nutribullet food processors were selling at a rate of one every 30 seconds.
Around 7% of its customers were unable to access the site first time due to the level of demand. About 7% of its customers were unable to access the site first time due to the level of demand.
"JohnLewis.com is up and running and working well," a spokeswoman said."JohnLewis.com is up and running and working well," a spokeswoman said.
'Astonishing demand''Astonishing demand'
Currys PC World said it had seen its "biggest ever start" to Black Friday, with web traffic increasing fivefold from last year.Currys PC World said it had seen its "biggest ever start" to Black Friday, with web traffic increasing fivefold from last year.
"Overnight we saw astonishing demand online and implemented a pre-planned queuing system to most fairly support shoppers," said Currys PC World e-commerce director Jeremy Fennell."Overnight we saw astonishing demand online and implemented a pre-planned queuing system to most fairly support shoppers," said Currys PC World e-commerce director Jeremy Fennell.
"We are continuing to implement our queuing system while shoppers take advantage of our great deals online and in-store.""We are continuing to implement our queuing system while shoppers take advantage of our great deals online and in-store."
At midday, the queue to access Currys' website was over half an hour long.At midday, the queue to access Currys' website was over half an hour long.
Overnight, Tesco Direct also experienced high demand, and was temporarily unavailable.Overnight, Tesco Direct also experienced high demand, and was temporarily unavailable.
Business sense?Business sense?
However, analysts are dubious about the value of Black Friday promotions to retailers. However, some analysts cast doubt on the value of Black Friday promotions to retailers.
"All Black Friday is likely to do is bring forward business from December, reduce gross margins and undermine consumer's willingness to pay full-price again before Christmas," said retail analyst Nick Bubb."All Black Friday is likely to do is bring forward business from December, reduce gross margins and undermine consumer's willingness to pay full-price again before Christmas," said retail analyst Nick Bubb.
"It is therefore good to see that Next are thinking long-term and preserving their pricing power," he added."It is therefore good to see that Next are thinking long-term and preserving their pricing power," he added.
For decades Next has had two sales - one in the summer, and one at Christmas. The company is expecting a profit of between £750m and £790m for 2014, an increase of 8-14%.
US import
In the US, the Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday - Black Friday - has been the biggest shopping day of the year since 2001.
Consumers in the UK have been becoming more aware of the US tradition, and UK retailers have been investing in Black Friday promotions.
The number of visits to UK shops on Black Friday only really started to pick up last year, according to research firm Experian Footfall, rising 5.6%.