BLACK Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving every year, and is when many stores offer big discounts on products and goods for people to buy before Christmas.
The huge global retail event is one of the biggest in the calendar, with shoppers flocking in store and online to snap up incredible Black Friday deals.
Why is it called Black Friday?
The day was given its name as it is often the day that shops "move into the black", meaning they have enough money to cover their costs while reducing prices.
In the UK the name traditionally refers to the Friday before Christmas, which is when police and NHS emergency services anticipate extra pressures put on them due to festive celebrations.
However, since 2014 the term has become more associated with the huge shopping event.
It is well known among shoppers as a day of bargains which has come across the pond from the US since the beginning of the 21st century.
Where did Black Friday come from?
It is traditionally the day which follows Thanksgiving in America and is regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Americans have Thanksgiving Day off and the next day, so usually people celebrating this holiday will have four days free to shop.
Recent years have seen retailers stay open longer or start earlier with special deals to entice customers.
The idea has now spread across the world with many other countries also participating in the day, or week, of frenzied shopping.
Each year, big retailers like Amazon, Argos and Morrisons use Black Friday to give massive price reductions to shoppers just before Christmas kicks in.
Want to know more about Black Friday 2021? We've explained everything you need to know about when this year's Black Friday sale will take place and what retailers are expected to take part.
What is Black Friday?
On Black Friday, retail prices heavily decrease for 24 hours in an attempt to get people to splash the cash in the run-up to Christmas.
Although in recent years, particularly online, Black Friday has turned into a two-week shopping event with retailers competing to start their sales the earliest in the hope of luring in customers first.
In the States, customers often queue for hours, even days to get their hands on the best bargains.
Many stores have yet to make an official announcement about Black Friday and if they will open on Thanksgiving night.
Several others such as Walmart, Sam's Club, Best Buy, and JCPenney will be closed for the holiday due to the pandemic.
Instead, many deals will be posted to their sites to avoid long lines overnight and mass crowds.
The hoards of people are more reserved in the UK, with the majority of Brits opting to shop online in more recent years.
But unfortunately, the shopping mania has been known to descend into violence in the UK, as people argue over discounted gadgets and appliances.
The Best Black Friday Deals
To save you searching, we’re rounding up all the best Black Friday deals out there. Click on your favourite category to find all the top offers.
- Tech
- Beauty
- Fashion
- Home and garden
- Toys
- Food and alcohol
- Travel
When is Black Friday 2021?
This year Black Friday will take place on November 26, followed by Cyber Monday on November 29.
Many shops release early deals ahead of the sale, so keep your eyes peeled for bargains from the beginning of November.
The trick is to be prepared and organised and to always know what you want before the sales start – to avoid unnecessary spending.
Our tips for finding the best deals this Black Friday and Cyber Monday
IT might be tempting to dive in and snap up LOADS of items on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but here’s how you can guarantee you’re getting a good deal.
PREPARE Research the items you want to buy and find out the cheapest price. Websites like PriceSpy, PriceHistory and CamelCamelCamel will give you historical data on prices so you can see how much you should pay.
GET FOLLOWING Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its deals newsletter to get the latest on any offers. We post the best deals in our Sun Money FB group too.
CHECK FOR CODES Take a look at The Sun Vouchers, and see if you can get extra savings with discount codes.
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