Think local when it comes to gifts

The Black Friday phenomenon has only been part of the UK retail landscape for a relatively short time.

But it has become the de facto start to the festive season and a time when bargain-hunters are looking to make Christmas budgets stretch as far as they possibly can – something which has become even more important in the teeth of the current cost-of-living crisis.

But much of the money being spent on Black Friday is routed through major online players and is lost to local economies where small independent businesses are struggling.

The local choice won’t always be the easiest or the cheapest option and, for many, those will be the overriding factors.

But for those who can, keeping local retailers front of mind when spending this Christmas is vital.