Get that Black Friday feeling
Shoppers set to spend £2bn in record-breaking bargain frenzy
Shoppers are expected to splurge a record £2billion on Black Friday bargains today as the discounting bonanza officially begins.
With brick and mortar stores largely closed, millions will log on from the comfort of their homes to take advantage of prices slashed by up to 81% in some of the deepest cuts ever.
British Retail ail Consortium figures gall show footfall at shops fell ll 70% last week k compared with th last year.
And hard- hit t retai lers are e banking on n booming online trade to give them a muchneeded injection of cash.
As the effects of lockdown continue to cripple stores the Centre for Retail Research is expecting this year’s Black Friday takings to be almost double last year’s £1.14bn.
The Mirror is calling on our readers to help save the high street, by spending at stores which we regularly visited during pre-Covid times but now find themselves shuttered again and relying on website sales.
Prices are at rock bottom as businesses frantically try to shift mountains of stock left unsold during two lockdowns and months of limited trade.
One stylish bargain is a silk Missoni bandeau for a giveaway £29.99 – an 81% saving on the £165 price at tkmaxx.com.
Elsewhere you can get up to 67% off designer perfumes, 60% off clothing and 50% off toys, beauty and electrical products.
Guy Anker, deputy editor of finance website MoneySaving Expert said: “We are very mindful of the th nightmare retailers have faced fa and if you want them to stay sta open, it’s best to use them or o lose them. “But st still be sensible about how you shop. Do Don’t be taken in b by the hype, o only buy what you can afford and compare the prices.”
And Alex Schlagman, from SaveTheHighStreet. org urged shoppers not to forget independent, local stores.
“Even in lockdown, thousands of high street shops are open online with many fantastic Black Friday offers,” he said.
“Make sure to check out the local shops you love online – it’s never been more important to support your high street and ShopLocal this Black Friday.”
To get you in the mood, we share just a few of the brilliant bargains on offer…