The value of Black Friday sales in Britain jumped 16.5% compared with last year, according to data from payments firm Barclaycard, in a much needed boost for the country's retailers.
Barclaycard, which processes nearly £1 ($1.28) in every £3 spent in the United Kingdom, said the volume of transactions on the annual discount day rose 7.2% year-on-year, while the volume of transactions on Cyber Monday was so far up 6.9%.
With recent UK consumer spending subdued, Brexit still unresolved and a 12 December national election creating new uncertainties, retailers have been hoping for a boost from the promotion events that were first brought over from the United States by Amazon in 2010.
Rise In Shopper Numbers
Retail researcher Springboard said Black Friday saw a rise in shopper numbers of 3.3% versus 2018. However, some analysts urged caution in extrapolating Friday's shopping data.
Independent retail analyst Nick Bubb said this year's event was helped by chilly and dry weather.
"The fact that this year it coincided with the November pay day and was a week closer to Christmas means that it was bound to have been stronger than last year and the cannibalisation impact on December trading is yet to unfold," he said.
An Online Event
Though traditionally focused on stores, Black Friday has increasingly become an online event, blending with Cyber Monday to create four days - and often longer - of special offers.
US retailers kicked off Cyber Monday by launching a slew of deals earlier than usual over the weekend, seeking to sustain the momentum of a record $11.6 billion in online sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
