New data from industry analysts GlobalData and Vouchercodes.co.uk is forecasting that UK shoppers will spend £9.14bn over the four-day Black Friday weekend – a 4.5% increase on last year.
For the first time since 2022, it is predicted that bricks and mortar stores will increase their share of spend by 1.9%, taking their total to 46.9%. Online stores will see their share dip slightly to 53.1%.
The report says that the later date of Black Friday this year (Friday 29 November) will benefit retailers, highlighting: “With Black Friday falling later in the year, shoppers will be snapping up the deals and discounts as soon as they’re available to make sure items arrive in plenty of time before Christmas.”
Almost half (47%) of Black Friday shoppers will be using the sales to get a head start on their Christmas shopping, while 9% will be basing most of their Christmas shopping around the sales.
However, one trend that could dent retailers’ Black Friday profits is the growing ‘Green Friday’ movement. This ‘encourages retailers to use the Black Friday sales to offload stock and reduce waste that could end up in landfill’. The report says that 17% of people say they would be keen to get involved in Green Friday instead of traditional Black Friday.
Top: A new report forecasts that UK shoppers will spend £9.14bn over the four-day Black Friday weekend.