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What is Black Friday?

18/11/2015

If you're a savvy shopper you will most likely already know all about Black Friday but if you've been left out of the loop then MandM is here to bring you into all new world of savings. If you are already a Black Friday veteran then let us give you some handy tips to surviving this crazy day with some great savings.

So What is Black Friday?

The term 'Black Friday' refers to a tradition that has up until now been exclusively American but has made its way to our shores as well as countries around the world. Black Friday is the Friday following Thanksgiving which is widely recognised as the beginning of the Christmas shopping period. In an effort to kick start holiday sales retailers slash their prices down to very low prices in very limited supplies. The origins of the term 'Black Friday' are debated to this day, some believing that the term refers to the fact that it is the first day when retailers begin generating profit, going from being in the red to being in the black. Others argue that it simply describes the chaos that often unfolds when the biggest retail day of the year hits. You have probably heard the stories of fights breaking out over discounted TVs, a fiasco that has cause Asda to step back from the event this year!

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving which is on the fourth Thursday of November. This year Black Friday falls on 27th November. But many retailers, including MandM will be holding special deals all week long, so keep checking back from monday 23rd! Some retailers will continue discounts through to the following monday which has been nicknamed 'Cyber Monday' as it is a popular day for christmas shopping online.

Who does Black Friday?

These days more and more retail outlets are getting in on the Black Friday action. One of the big hitters is Amazon who has more than 3000 rolling lightning deals all week on a massively varied range of items from tvs to video games to home ware. John Lewis and Argos are also said to have deals going live on their online stores on and around black friday. MandM will be having tons of massive deals across black friday week so remember to check back daily so you don't miss out on an amazing bargain!

Any tips?

The key to Black Friday is to have your finger on the button. There will be physical deals in shops but we recommend you stick to online shopping to get the best deals possible. Amazon conveniently place all of their day's deals on a separate page with all the deals laid out in order of when they go on sale. Check out the day's deals at the start of the day and set a reminder for any items you want to grab. When it goes on sale, make sure you are the first to hit the buy button! Remember that other deals will be added as the day goes on so it's worth keeping a tab open at all times. Other websites may not be so organized, but this may also mean you have less competition for those sweet, sweet savings. Most retailers keep their cards pretty close to the chest when it comes to Black Friday offers so your best bet is to remain vigilant and keep checking the websites that you know will offer deals. Keep an eye on social media like Facebook and Twitter and maybe try bargains websites like Hot UK Deals too.

If you are venturing into a store there are more things to bear in mind. Queues may be long so bring a phone with some music or podcasts on it to pass the time. Also beware of return policies. Often retailers can change their return policies on heavily discounted items so be 100% sure that you want an item before committing to buying! Above all, remain safe and wary of your surroundings.

Now that you're all filled in on Black Friday why not subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop for our incredible deals on top brand products. Last year we had some amazing savings including jeans for under £1! This year we are determined to out-do ourselves and provide even more crazy savings across the week on brands including adidas Originals, Diesel, Levi's, Jack and Jones and many more!