Black Friday 2021: top tips on how to get the best deals - from setting a budget to doing your research

Big discount day Black Friday often signals the start of the Christmas shopping season
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Retailers will soon be launching their Black Friday deals.

But until then here’s a quick guide to when Black Friday is in 2021, how to get the best deals, and the origins of one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

When is Black Friday 2021?

In 2021, Black Friday will take place on 26 November.

Though the shopping extravaganza originated in the US, the UK has taken to Black Friday in recent years after Amazon introduced the concept in 2010.

Much like Christmas, however, preparations start well in advance of the big day with deals cropping up even earlier than expected with each passing year.

Some retailers like to grab shoppers’ attention early in the month with some striking deals in advance of Black Friday, while others keep their big discounts back until the day.

With so much shopping done online last year, due to various Covid restrictions, there is the promise this year could see one of the biggest - if not the biggest - Black Fridays in the UK.

How do I get the best Black Friday 2021 deals?

Deals will soon be released by Black Friday heavyweights Amazon, Argos, Currys, and more - stay tuned to the National World website for all the best discounts.

In the meantime, here are five top tips for Black Friday shopping before you part with your hard earned money:

  • Set a budget: With so much choice, it can be easy to get carried away if you don’t set yourself a spending limit. There will be plenty of tempting Black Friday deals and some heavily discounted by it could still be outside your budget. Set a budget and stick to it.
  • Compare prices: If you’re thinking of making a Black Friday purchase, now is the time to do your research - especially if you have a specific item in mind. See what the going rate is for the item and check competitors for comparison prices.
  • Consider how you’re paying: Credit cards give an extra layer of protection if things go wrong so it could be a good idea to use them to pay for items. But follow the first two steps and pay it off as quickly as possible. Don’t sit in debt if you don’t have to.
  • Know your rights: The Consumer Rights Act gives you protection in the first 30 days from the date of purchase. It says goods should be of satisfactory quality, fit to do the job intended, and last a reasonable length of time.
  • Look at the bigger picture: Do you really need that item, or do you just want it? Will you use it regularly enough to warrant the asking price? Could you easily get by without it or make do with what you have already? Ask yourself the tough questions and be honest.

What are the origins of Black Friday?

It is widely accepted that the shopping spectacle got its name after people flocked to the shops on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US.

The earliest evidence of the phrase being used to describe the mad dash to the high street was in 1961, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the US.

Philadelphia would also host the Army-Navy football game on this day, which caused chaos with thousands of tourists embarking on the city.

Police officers would dub the day ‘Black Friday’ due to heavy volumes of traffic and pedestrians on the city centre streets - and because they had to work long shifts.

The phrase has now spread over the world to describe the biggest shopping day of the year when many retailers slash prices to turn a profit.

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