When is Black Friday 2016, what is it and where are the best deals in the UK?
UNTIL a few years ago, Black Friday was a tradition exclusive to our friends across the pond.
Black Friday has officially kicked off – follow all the latest live updates here
But now, UK retailers are getting involved - slashing prices both on and leading up to the big day.
Shoppers this year are expected to spend an average of £203 each, an overall £3 billion splurge, so here is what you need to know to make sure you get the very best deals possible.
Black Friday 2016 – your guide to the best deals on toys, TVs and even flights
From Argos and Amazon to ASOS and GAME - all the retailers doing Black Friday
What is Black Friday?
On Black Friday, shops’ prices plummet for 24 hours in an attempt to get people splashing the cash in the run up to Christmas. The day earned its name as it’s often the day shops ‘move into the black’ – meaning they have enough money to cover their costs.
Black Friday has hit! Here's where you should be doing your shopping:
1. Amazon
Black Friday started 12 days ago for Amazon with big reductions on a huge range of reduced products and more offers added as frequently as every five minutes.
2. Argos
Argos is one of the biggest retailers to take part in Black Friday with deals on TVs, games consoles, laptops, cameras and toys.
3. Tesco
Tesco have slashed priced on tech with incredible deals on TVs, consoles and toys.
4. John Lewis
With discounts across all departments John Lewis have plenty of opportunities for savings, especially in the kitchen with a KitchenAid mixer down to just £299.99 from £449.95.
5. Boots
Boots are offering big discounts on grooming products and a selection of their popular perfumes.
6. Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's kept a low profile in the run up to Black Friday but have now released deals on home appliances and electricals.
7. GAME
GAME has huge deals available on their PS4 and X-box bundles, ideal for Chirstmas gifts.
8. M&S
This weekend M&S have launched a "gifting" event as an alternative to Black Friday. There are great deals on Christmas decorations, cosmetics and lingerie.
9. House of Fraser
The House of Fraser sale is packed full of Christmas present prospects with toys, watches and jewellery and kitchen appliances all in the sale.
10. Debenhams
Department store Debenhams has also dramatically dropped prices for the event, kitchen appliances, perfumes and furniture have all faced the price chop.
11. Halfords
Get on your bike at Halfords with great deals on car and bike accessories as well as offers on adult and kid's bicycles.
12. Currys
Currys is a one stop shop for electrical items this Black Friday with reductions on TVs, laptops and speakers.
13. ASOS
This Black Friday ASOS is offering 20 per cent off everything on its site.
14. Very.co.uk
Very.co.uk have cut the price of some fun gifts including a jukebox now at £69.99 from £149, as well as great deals on clothes and accessories from their V by Very range.
15. Smyth's
Head to Smyth's for some cracking deals on children's games and toys.
16. B&Q
Dropping prices of DIY products and tools B&Q are embracing Black Friday this year, lawnmowers and leaf blowers have big reductions and there are kid's toys featured in the sale too.
17. Toys R Us
Toys R Us have cut prices across the store with toys, games and baby products all reduced in the sale.
18. Mothercare
Highchairs and prams are heavily reduced in the Mothercare sale, as well as toys and children's clothes.
19. Morrisons
Morrisons is the ideal place to get hold of some bargain booze with a 3L bottle of Jack Daniels costing just £50, they are also stocking a whole Serrano ham leg for the discounted price of £28.
And it works – as customers often queue for hours, even days to get their hands on the best bargains.
Unfortunately, the shopping mania can sometimes descend into violence, as people argue over discounted gadgets and appliances.
READ MORE Morrisons Black Friday deals – the bargains you should be looking for
When is it in the UK this year?
Traditionally, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving – an American holiday which falls on the fourth Thursday in November.
This year, Black Friday will fall on Friday 25 November, however various retailers will be offering their deals earlier than this, including Amazon who launched their Black Friday deals 12 days early. Tesco have also kicked things off ahead of schedule by starting their sale bonanza on Monday 21 November.
While some shoppers continue to fight for the best deals in store, many retailers expect the majority of Black Friday business to be done online.
Where can you get the cheapest deals in the UK?
From video games to clothing, and from supermarkets to department stores, Black Friday will provide a bargain for everyone – with some you might not have expected.
Here are some of the retailers you should be looking out for:
AMAZON
Last year the online retailer sold more than 7.4 million items on Black Friday alone.
In total 86 items were sold per second and was Amazon’s biggest sales day ever in the UK.
Popular items which were snapped up by bargain hunters included Kindle Fire, Xbox One, Samsung televisions and Fifa 16.
This year the online retailer launched its Black Friday deals 12 days early.
The extravaganza will will include HD TVs, phones, beauty products, home accessories, fashion and toys, with “lightning deals” becoming available as often as every five minutes.
ARGOS
Prices of cameras were slashed by more than 50 per cent and a Vax vacuum had £150 wiped off as part of Argos’ deals last year.
This time around, the retailer followed the example of Amazon by launching their 13-day sale early.
Shoppers are being advised by the chain to check store opening times and keep track of everything in your basket if you are purchasing online.
ASOS
Last year, the online fashion giant offered customers a special code entitling them to a 20 per cent discount on their shopping bag.
Bookmark items that you know you want to buy a few days before the day – click on “save for later” and you’ll be able to see if it goes on sale on Black Friday.
The clothing giant has started its Black Friday sales early, with a themed discount each day leading up to November 25.
Discounted themes have included winter warmers and partywear.
TESCO
They are most known for selling groceries, but last year the supermarket cut hundreds of products such as televisions, phones, coffee machines and hair straighteners.
This year, the supermarket giant is set to open their doors to Black Friday shoppers from 5am. Tesco Direct launched its Black Friday sale on November 21, giving shoppers five days of bargains.
The company may well match their 70 per cent off electrical items from 2015, though this has not been confirmed.
JOHN LEWIS
Last year the store boasted a 15.5 per cent increase in internet sales during Black Friday and raked up to £187.7 million in one week.
Electrical goods such as TVs and laptops were some of the most popular items which were reduced.
BOOTS
The beauty store cut the price of a number of different fragrances last year.
Highlights included the cost of Emporio Armani She Eau de Parfum being halved.
HALFORDS
The go-to bike store are getting themselves in gear for a busy day of sales both online and in store – last year, they offered 50 per cent off on some of their popular children’s
bikes, scooters and toys.
They , which has details of all their offers. You can browse the bikes, accessories and gifts ahead of the big day.
MARKS & SPENCER
A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer told The Sun Online: “We don’t share results of promotions in isolation.”
However experts have predicted what they expect to feature in the retailer's Black Friday event later this month.
Last year, Marks & Spencer offered big reductions Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Heart Rate & Activity Wristband which was £66.49 down from £95.
GAME
This year GAME will be slashing the prices of their products on Friday 25 November., Last year the tech store stretched Black Friday out into a five day sale extravaganza.
Deals Editor Gary Caffell says: “Game last year was an exciting player offering one-hour only sales on selected games and consoles – some being the best on the market.
“This year we expect to see big discounts on consoles and games.”
SAINSBURY'S
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s told The Sun Online, “Our customers are looking for great value ahead of Christmas and shoppers know that Black Friday is the perfect moment to find a bargain.
“Like last year, there will be a select number of products on offer throughout the weekend.”
Last year the supermarket had offers on the popular Nutribullet blender, Dyson vacuums and Sony headphones.
What else do I need to know?
It’s not just Christmas presents you can get your hands on – many airlines and holiday websites also do great Black Friday deals, with some offering flights for just a few pounds last year.
And if you don't find what you're looking for on Black Friday, there's always Cyber Monday a few days later...
Take a look at The Sun Vouchers, to see if you can get extra savings across hundreds of retailers on Black Friday