Black Friday 2021 sales live now and top tips for bagging a bargain

SHOPPERS are expected to splurge billions this week as retailers unveil their biggest Black Friday deals.

UK shoppers are set to splash out a massive £9.4 billion this year, according to Statista.

There are some major bargains to be had - some well over £100 — There are some major bargains to be had – some well over £100

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Some £5.7bn of that will be spent online, and £3.4bn in stores.

Consumers are using the biggest shopping day of the year to get prepped for Christmas.

And retailers are getting ahead of the game this year too.

But for many brands – the discounts have already begun.

While there are plenty of bargains to be had, it’s always important to do your homework and avoid getting caught up in the spending frenzy.

Here are our top tips for bagging a bargain in the Black Friday sales – and our pick of the best early ones.

Shop around

A deal might look great, but not if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

It always makes sense to compare prices to see where the best bargain is.

Naomi Willis, of money saving blog Skint Dad, said: “If you are planning to shop for a deal during the Black Friday sales, it’s best to start researching prices of things you’re interested in now.

“That way, when you see the sale price, you’ll know if you’re actually getting a bargain.”

Sites such as Pricerunner and Idealo can help you compare prices.

You can also set alerts that let you monitor when prices drop.

Some retailers offer price matching, so will lower the price if you see the same thing cheaper elsewhere, so it’s worth bearing this in mind even after you make a purchase.

Double down

Getting money off in a sale is great, but why not get some extra cash for yourself while you’re at it.

Using cashback sites such as Quidco and Topcashback could earn you money back off of any purchase you make.

Cashback sites strike deals with retailers and pay you for purchases you make online.

All you do is go to the usual website where you want to make a purchase – but instead of going direct, you go through the cashback site.

You earn a percentage of your purchase back.

When we checked, we saw cashback of up to 11 per cent at Boots through Topcashback, and up to 25 per cent cashback on purchases at Very through Quidco.

If you’re buying anything online, it’s worth searching to see if there’s a voucher code available too, as this could get you an even bigger discount.

If you follow your favourite retailers on social media you might get exclusive deals too.

More Amazing Black Friday Deals

Make a list

It’s easy to get caught up in the Black Friday frenzy, but remember it’s only a bargain if you already wanted the item in the first place.

Retailers use lots of clever tech to move prices depending on demand, or make you feel pressured by telling you how many people are looking at the same item as you.

Don’t give in to the pressure.

While the sales are a great time to stock up on Christmas gifts, be sure to make a list of what you need before you start browsing.

Lots of websites let you make wish lists of items, which you can set up in advance.

You can then see how the prices change to give you an idea of whether you’re getting a good deal.

Lynn Beattie, founder of the Mrs Mummypenny blog, recommends unsubscribing from any marketing emails to help avoid the hype.

She said: “Don’t be tempted into ‘unbeatable’ offers and remember, Black Friday isn’t necessarily the best time to buy things.”