ASDA snubs Black Friday for second year in a row
Supermarket chain ASDA has pulled out of Black Friday for a second year in a row - instead saying it will focus on “lower prices all year round”.
The US-owned food chain has retreated from Black Friday after footage of huge crowds at one store showed shoppers squabbling and fighting over cut-price TVs two years ago.
Some customers had to be separated by staff at the Wembley branch in North West London and furious exchanges showed two women wrestling over a TV as other shoppers stampeded through the aisles of the store.
Since then Asda, owned by one of the biggest Black Friday retailers in the US, Walmart, has ditched Black Friday sales in favour of “lower prices all year round”.
The store, which helped make Black Friday famous in the UK, justified its decision not to participate in the event because their customers "did not want the pressure of a flash sale".
For a while it was not known if Asda would be participating in the massive sale event, which is expected to see Brits spend a bumper £2 billion.
A tongue in cheek video posted on Asda’s Facebook page earlier in the week finally answered rumours.
It’s mannequin challenge video is a take on the media craze that has swept the internet where people post videos of them looking like they’ve been frozen in time.
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It shows staff and fake shoppers stood still as they try to nab a bargain. A video crew film a member of Asda’s staff… and there’s a cheeky surprise at the end.
Russell Craig, media relations director for Asda, said: "Last year we said that we were stepping away from Black Friday because, as much as we had developed a well organised and executed event the feedback from our customers was clear that they didn’t want the pressure of a ‘flash sale’ and preferred to know we were offering low prices throughout the festive season.”
Shoppers on the Asda Facebook page applauded the supermarket for shying away from Black Friday.
One user said: "This is brilliant. I love the bit at the end", another said: "Brilliant, well done Asda. I would have been laughing too much to do this."
Online giant Amazon and Walmart-owned Asda both take credit for introducing Black Friday to the UK.
Apple has previously opted out of the event but is teasing visitors to its website with the promise of deals on Friday, but Next and Ikea have ruled themselves out.
Amazon has been offering Black Friday deals since last Monday, and new offers as of today include its bestselling Fire tablet available at a ";lowest-ever" price of £29.99.
Customers can also save up to 45 per cent off selected Le Creuset lines, and its Paperwhite kindle is on sale for £79.99, a £30 saving.
Amazon is also launching thousands of 'lightning deals' on limited quantities of products for a short time.
John Lewis is already offering a £375 saving on the Samsung UE65KU6500 ultra HD smart tv and £175 off the Dyson DC75 Cinetic Big Ball Upright Vacuum Cleaner,
Argos is running a 13-day sale with discounts on items such as Dyson vacuum cleaners and tvs, while Boots launched its deals on Saturday with more than 50 per cent off some electric toothbrushes and Braun shavers as well as savings on electricals, beauty and fragrance.
Debenhams is offering up to half price on certain items every day this week, including beauty, health and electrical items, furniture and 40 per cent off toys.
House of Fraser has launched its six-day Black Friday event with 50 per cent off brands including Barbour, Ugg and Michael Kors, among other deals.
Supermarket giant Tesco has an 11-day sales event running which will continue until December 1. The main event on Black Friday itself will see the majority of Tesco Extra stores opening at 5am.
Online auction site eBay is revealing new offers each day until November 29.
The retailers to watch out for this Black Friday
Black Friday has hit! Here's where you should be doing your shopping:
1. Amazon
Black Friday started 12 days ago for Amazon with big reductions on a huge range of reduced products and more offers added as frequently as every five minutes.
2. Argos
Argos is one of the biggest retailers to take part in Black Friday with deals on TVs, games consoles, laptops, cameras and toys.
3. Tesco
Tesco have slashed priced on tech with incredible deals on TVs, consoles and toys.
4. John Lewis
With discounts across all departments John Lewis have plenty of opportunities for savings, especially in the kitchen with a KitchenAid mixer down to just £299.99 from £449.95.
5. Boots
Boots are offering big discounts on grooming products and a selection of their popular perfumes.
6. Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's kept a low profile in the run up to Black Friday but have now released deals on home appliances and electricals.
7. GAME
GAME has huge deals available on their PS4 and X-box bundles, ideal for Chirstmas gifts.
8. M&S
This weekend M&S have launched a "gifting" event as an alternative to Black Friday. There are great deals on Christmas decorations, cosmetics and lingerie.
9. House of Fraser
The House of Fraser sale is packed full of Christmas present prospects with toys, watches and jewellery and kitchen appliances all in the sale.
10. Debenhams
Department store Debenhams has also dramatically dropped prices for the event, kitchen appliances, perfumes and furniture have all faced the price chop.
11. Halfords
Get on your bike at Halfords with great deals on car and bike accessories as well as offers on adult and kid's bicycles.
12. Currys
Currys is a one stop shop for electrical items this Black Friday with reductions on TVs, laptops and speakers.
13. ASOS
This Black Friday ASOS is offering 20 per cent off everything on its site.
14. Very.co.uk
Very.co.uk have cut the price of some fun gifts including a jukebox now at £69.99 from £149, as well as great deals on clothes and accessories from their V by Very range.
15. Smyth's
Head to Smyth's for some cracking deals on children's games and toys.
16. B&Q
Dropping prices of DIY products and tools B&Q are embracing Black Friday this year, lawnmowers and leaf blowers have big reductions and there are kid's toys featured in the sale too.
17. Toys R Us
Toys R Us have cut prices across the store with toys, games and baby products all reduced in the sale.
18. Mothercare
Highchairs and prams are heavily reduced in the Mothercare sale, as well as toys and children's clothes.
19. Morrisons
Morrisons is the ideal place to get hold of some bargain booze with a 3L bottle of Jack Daniels costing just £50, they are also stocking a whole Serrano ham leg for the discounted price of £28.
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