Black Friday 2020: Which stores are taking part in the UK?

Indybest Team

27 October 2020 at 12:44 pm·10-min read

From fashion and beauty to homeware and tech, these are the brands to watch (The Independent)

Black Friday is without doubt the biggest shopping event of the year, so mark your calendar with Friday 27 November.

The event originated in the US when brands and retailers marked the start of the festive shopping period the day after Thanksgiving by slashing the prices of many of their products, both in-store and online.

Traditionally, sales occurred just on the Friday, with the following Monday being the online-only part of the event, known as Cyber Monday. However, since the trend took off, it has grown year on year, with many shops even offering Black Friday-themed deals for the entire month.

Most of the deals can be enjoyed from the comforts of your own home, and luckily, we'll be scouring them all to find you the very best offers on everything from fashion and beauty to TVs and homewares.

On top of this, our extensive buying guides will make sure you will be getting the most bang for your buck.

Last year, we saw some impressive deals from the likes of big retailers including Amazon and John Lewis & Partners, as well as smaller shops too.

And we're hoping for the same turnout this year, although as it's been far from a normal year because of coronavirus, so keep an eye out for more information on your favourite brands taking part here.

Our IndyBest team hand-picks every deal we feature. We may earn some commission from the links in this article, but our selections have been made independently and without bias. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Which stores are taking part?

Here's our round-up of some of the retailers that took part last year, with details of the impressive deals they offered. So keep visiting this page as our IndyBest team will update it with more information as soon as brands announce it.

Amazon

Last year, the online retailer’s sale ran for 15 days, as it ran pre-sale deals for far longer than usual. It featured major discounts on everything from electronics to must-have toys, games, fashion, jewellery and beauty products. This year, we expect the "Black Friday countdown" pre-sale deals to run again, which could start around Friday 13 November. That means Amazon is likely to kick off its Black Friday discounts a whole two weeks before the main event.

AO

Last year, the online electrical retailer began its biggest ever Black Friday sale with £100 off all large kitchen appliances, up to £150 off Shark vacuums and more. We anticipate similarly big savings this year.

Argos

Expect big savings on everything from toys to homewares and electricals. Usually Argos doesn't start it's deals much before the actual day, so if there's something you're after, keep an eye on the website for announcements.

Apple

Tech giant Apple has traditionally resisted partaking in Black Friday, but last year it took part in the form of in-store vouchers. We predict that other retailers such as John Lewis & Partners, Amazon, and Currys PC World will be offering discounted Apple products.

Asos

Online retailer Asos takes part in Black Friday every year. We predict that customers will be offered special discounts off everything across the website, both before Black Friday, during, and across the weekend, before moving into Cyber Monday.

Beauty Bay

Last year, Beauty Bay offered up to 50 per cent off across its website, with huge savings on popular make-up products – we're expecting similar big things this year.

Boots

If you're looking for discounts on perfume, gifting, skincare, and electrical beauty, Boots should be your go-to destination. The retailer launched its Black Friday sale last year with great deals on No7, Fenty Beauty, and more – so expect great discounts this year too.

BT

If you're looking for a new broadband package, you should seriously consider BT's Black Friday offers. Last year it offered up to £440 off on broadband, TV, sport and mobile deals.

Carphone Warehouse

Available both online and in-store, Carphone Warehouse offered some great discounts last year that we think they'll replicate this year – including up to £200 off pay monthly phones.

Currys PC World

Last year Currys PC World offered savings on thousands of products and is a go-to for anyone looking for discounted tech and electronics like laptops and TVs. Last year it started slashing its prices early, so we are expecting more of the same this year.

Debenhams

Kicking off its Black Friday sale a few days before the event itself, Debenhams offered discounts across fashion, beauty, home, electricals and toys. While the retailer is yet to announce its 2020 offers, we think they'll be just as big.

EE

The phone company offered big deals last year on its broadband and phone packages, as well as SIM-only phone handsets and tablets, so you can expect similar reductions this year.

Fitbit

Last year the fitness company offered up to £60 off selected products on its site. We're expecting Black Friday 2020 to be great time to buy all your Fitbit Christmas presents.

Game

In 2019, Game had big discounts on the latest games and console bundles during the Black Friday sale, including impressive discounts on the Nintendo Switch. We’re expecting big things this year too.

GTech

British company GTech will have the offers you need for all your floor cleaning needs, from vacuum cleaners to power sweepers. Last year it kicked off its sale on November 18 and ran it until December 2, with up to 70 per cent off selected items.

Halfords

Starting with a bang, the hardware store started its big Black Friday sale early last year with deals on bikes, hardware and more. We can expect more of the same this time around.

Harvey Nichols

For all things luxury, opt for Harvey Nichols's this Black Friday. In 2019, it ran its event from 22 to 26 November, offering 25 per cent off fashion and accessories and 10 per cent off beauty. We think you'll be able to nab a similarly great deal this year.

John Lewis & Partners

Things are looking slightly different for John Lewis & Partners this year – rather than a official Black Friday sale, it traditionally offers a price match service, however, the retailer recently announced it is dropping its "never knowingly undersold" slogan. But, you can still expect a huge range of deals across tech, home, fashion and beauty.

LoveHoney

This retailer is sure to get you in the mood this Black Friday. Last year, it offered 50 per cent off adult toys and lingerie, with new deals added every hour, so you can expect comparable discounts this year.

Look Fantastic

Health and beauty retailer Look Fantastic offered up to 25 per cent off a range of products last year, but the deal declined by 1 per cent every hour so you had to act fast! Get prepared for a similar event in 2020.

M&S

Despite not officially taking part in the Black Friday sales last year, M&S launched a huge clearance sale during the event, with up to 50 per cent off fashion and fragrance and 40 per cent off furniture. We’re expecting similar offers this year.

Now TV

Last year the popular subscription-free TV service offered 12 months of Sky Cinema for £55, which is usually worth more than £115. Keep checking in to find its 2020 deals.

Since the clothing retailer offered up to 70 per cent off selected lines during Black Friday last year, we're predicting something similar for the 2020 sale.

Nike

For the past two years, the sports retailer offered a 30 per cent discount across its lines, and it will be offering fresh drops and special offers this year too.

O2

During the Black Friday event last year, O2 offered phone deals that included a six-month Netflix subscription. Hold off on getting a new phone until this year's event so you can take full advantage of similar deals.

Sky

Starting its Black Friday event early, Sky's discounts included 50 per cent off TV, phone and broadband package. The brand will not be waiting around to announce its discounts this year – so keep your eyes peeled.

Shark

With savings of up to £200 on Shark's vacuum cleaners during its Black Friday sale last year, we expect to see the cost of items being considerably reduced in 2020. You'll have to be quick off the mark as items sell out fast.

Simba Sleep

There's no better time to save on a new mattress than during the Black Friday sales. Simba offered up to 40 per cent off certain product bundles in its Black Friday 2019 event. Last year was the retailer's biggest sale yet, so we are looking to see impressive savings here.

Superdrug

You'll be able to save on all your favourite health and beauty brands both in-store and online with Superdrug's Black Friday sale. Beautycard members had access to exclusive pre-Black Friday deals last year, so if you can't wait until the big day, sign up now to be the first in the know.

Topshop

Last year high street favourite Topshop offered up to 50 per cent off all clothing and we can expect more of the same this time around. The retailer announced its sale a few days ahead of Black Friday, so be sure to check in on its website before the big event.

Tesco

Supermarket chain Tesco had some impressive offers for Black Friday last year, including up to 50 per cent off its clothing range, F&F, and so stay tuned for big savings in 2020.

Very

With discounts on fashion, home, tech and gifts, Very should be on your list this Black Friday. Deals went live early last year, with 40 per cent off winter fashion and 25 per cent off selected character toys before the big event. It's a real go-to for TV and game console deals, too.

Vodafone

From smartphones and tablets, Vodafone didn't disappoint last year with its Black Friday deals. This year's offers are set to be even bigger.

Which stores are taking part?

Read more on Black Friday 2020

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