When is Black Friday 2020? Date UK sales start this year - and when deals launch for Amazon, Currys and Argos

Black Friday sees retailers offer huge discounts on products and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season

With shops forced to close for several months earlier this year due to the coronavirus outbreak – and now again in England during until 2 December – many people will have curbed their spending habits.

But, while the pandemic may have inspired people to start saving, the major shopping event of Black Friday is fast approaching - and it’s a great opportunity to snap up some bargains, even if you have to stick to shopping online.

What is Black Friday?

Will you be bargain hunting this year?

Black Friday is one of the most hectic days in the retail calendar which sees stores launch huge sales to encourage customer spending. The day typically marks the start of the Christmas shopping season, giving shoppers the chance to bag some cheap deals on an array of items ahead of the big day.

Black Friday originally began in the US, but has since become an annual event here in the UK and several other countries.

To make the most out of the event, many shops open to customers as early as 6am and deals start to be made available online from midnight onwards.

When is Black Friday 2020?

This year, Black Friday will take place on Friday 27 November. However, many retailers often start their discounts ahead of time, up to two weeks early in some cases.

This year, some retailers are expected to launch their sales even earlier than usual - possibly up to one month before the day - after suffering a difficult year of trading amid the ongoing pandemic.

Amazon started its Black Friday discount spree on 26 October, a month earlier than the actual big day.

Discounts will be applied to products across a range of categories, including toys, beauty and Amazon's popular own-brand devices – the sale is expected to late until Black Friday itself on 27 November.

What deals can I expect?

Here are the dates when some of the major retailers are expected to kick off their Black Friday sales this year, and some of the deals that could be up for grabs.

Amazon

Black Friday deals started on Amazon on 26 October, with deals open to all customers, not just Prime subscribers.

In the run up to Black Friday on 27 November, the online retailer will be launching hundreds of 'Deals of the Day', as well as limited 'Lightning Deals' that are only available while stocks last – and Prime members will get 30 minutes early access to these.

At the time of writing, some of the most exciting deals include a certified refurbished second generation Echo Show for just £139.99 (a saving of nearly 30 per cent), and almost 75 per cent off an Oral-B SmartSeries Black 6500 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush.

These discounts will change regularly, so make sure you keep checking back for the latest offers on tech, housewares, gaming, Amazon devices, and many more.

Argos

Sales are expected to start on 27 November, on the official day of Black Friday, but Argos has already started its toy sale, which runs all through November.

Last year’s sale included big price cuts to a range of major brands, including Apple and Dyson, with various tech products reduced by as much as £100.

Currys PC World

While the official Black Friday sales aren’t due to start until later this month, Currys has revealed a number of price cuts ahead of the big day.

Several 'Kickstart your Christmas' deals are available now, along with deals and discounts on headphones, Tassimo Coffee Machines and Shark Vaccuums, among others.

Black Friday discounts are likely to be made on various TV, audio, computer, phones, gaming and appliances.

Superdrug

The beauty retailer has launched it Black Friday sales early, with deals available from 4 November online and in stores.

The exclusive deals will run until 1 December, the day after Cyber Monday, and customers will be able to take advantage of savings of up to 60 per cent off beauty and make up items.

Halfords

Halfords’ Black Friday deals will start on 17 November this year, with discounts expected on in-car technology, tools, car cleaning products and scooters.

In 2019, shoppers could bag discounts of up to 20 per cent, including price cuts on a Mini Cooper convertible ride-on car, reduced from £99 to £55.

The Entertainer

Popular among parents in the run-up to Christmas, sales at the toy store are expected to begin on 20 November, although this is still to be confirmed.

In last year’s Black Friday sales, the store offered discounts of up to 80 per cent.

Next

Sales at Next are expected to start on Black Friday itself, on 27 November, although an earlier date could be announced closer to the time.

In previous years, eager shoppers have queued outside the store from 6am to bag the best deals, with last year’s event seeing cuts of up to 70 per cent on clothes.