Black Friday deals online from midnight and stores to open early

But this was not reflected on the high street and in supermarkets where there were no signs of the huge crowds which gathered a year ago, or the scuffles which broke out as customers fought over big-ticket items.

Retailers have been bombarding registered shoppers with emails detailing deals today ahead of them becoming available from midnight, while many stores are preparing to open their doors early.

Retail analyst Greg Bromley from Conlumino, said the online and in-person shoppers were often after a different sales experience, adding: “Online shopping is more considered – you can compare the prices”.

In the U.S. Black Friday, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, was so named because spending would pick up and retailers would begin to turn a profit for the year and move into the black.

Retail analyst Nick Bubb stated, “It looks as if Black Friday spending has-been more announce out this year and more weighted to online, yet each one indication is in that the combined event will be bigger than last year overall”. That may have encouraged more people to shop online this year.

Visa Europe stated £1.9bn could possibly be spent on-line & in-store on its cards alone.

The Centre for Retail Research expects a slightly more modest £966 million online but predicts total Black Friday sales including at bricks and mortar stores will reach £1.39 billion, with shopping over the entire weekend – culminating in Cyber Monday – to hit £3.49 billion.

Tesco replied that their stores open at 7am for customers who don’t want to take part in Black Friday.

However, consumer advocates are urging shoppers to exercise caution in the rush for bargains.

Some shops were packed full, with long lines of people queueing for the chance to snap up a bargain.

The study found that the overall average discount for Black Friday deals is 40 percent, so consumers should aim for that or greater to actually get a good deal and avoid a Black Friday “sales trap”.

While online expenditure has certainly grown, there is still a physical presence for Black Friday in the shops.

Argos: 688 Argos stores will open at 6am.

Tesco Plc, the U.K.’s largest retailer, is “very pleased” with how the day is progressing and has witnessed no repeat of the unrest that occurred at some stores previous year, according to a company official.