Chewing gum, rock 'n’ roll, Jonathan Franzen - and now “Black Friday”. Another American phenomenon it’s impossible to ignore, even if you are 6,000 miles this side of the Atlantic.
The day after Thanksgiving, American retailers kickstart their Christmas trading with a day of bumper bargains. So deep are the discounts and fervent the consumers that they are prepared to queue overnight. It got out of hand two years ago when an employee of Wal-Mart was crushed to death by the crowds.
In Britain, retailers keen to inject a bit of zip into a tricky year, are copying the craze - albeit less zealously. Apple, the most Scrooge-like of companies, relents for one day by offering some modest promotions. Pixmania, the electrical gadget retailer, B&Q, the DIY chain are also joining in, while in London this Saturday, Oxford Street and Regent Street will be closed to traffic, with many stores offering special discounts.
The company that has embraced the idea most whole-heartedly is Amazon, the country’s biggest online store, which has been running a series of “lightening sales” all week. If Susan Boyle really floats your boat, you had the chance to pick up her latest album for just £1. Nintendo Wii, the games console, was a mere £50. In all 300 items are being offered at rock-bottom prices, culminating in some of the best deals tomorrow, Britain’s first Black Friday.
But, in a canny piece of marketing, only a limited number of items are available, for a short period of time. The £1 Susan Boyle and Take That CDs went in seconds, prompting some angry customers to claim the promotion was a con. The company insists that “thousands” of customers benefited, and it will deliver “many millions of pounds of savings”.
To enjoy the discounts, customers need to log onto the home page of amazon.co.uk, and click on the Black Friday link. This will list all the discounts available on the day, with the time that they first go “live”. Customers will then have to be ready, finger poised over the computer mouse, set to click the second the bargain is released.
For those that can not stand the stress, we have also listed some of the best non-Amazon discounts, which are likely to be more widely available - and come without the high-blood pressure.
Battlestar Galactica Complete Series DVD
Normally £120
Likely to be £48 or less
At first glance, this drama looks like sci-fi pulp. But many consider it one of the finest TV dramas to come out of America in the last decade. This box-set features all four series, along with some extra features and commentary.
Talking Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger
Normally £39.99
Likely to be less than £20
Toy Story 3 is set to become the most popular film of 2010, and no surprise after Woody and Buzz’s triumphant return to our screens this year. Be warned - this is not the latest Jet Pack version of the toy, released a couple of months ago. But it’s a very similar talking Buzz.
Breil Ladies Diamond-set Swiss Watch
Normally £495
Likely to be £195 or less
Breil is an Italian company that specialises in high-performance sports watches, but elegant ones. They run on a quartz movement, come with leather straps, and the stainless steel case is water resistant to 100 metres.
Coronation Street 50th Anniversary Box Set
Normally £69.99
Likely to be £31.50 or less
Anyone who dismisses Corrie as a mere soap opera is a snob. Throughout its long run it has produced some of the finest and wittiest television drama. This is for die-hard fans, though. A full 12 discs, with interviews, classic episodes and many special features.
Flip Mino Camcorder, 4GB memory
Normally £170
Likely to be £67 or less
One of the best camcorders on the market, and certainly the simplest to use, the Flip has helped revolutionise family videos. Slips into a pocket, captures two hours of film and runs on - bliss - two AA batteries. The sound quality isn’t great and neither is the zoom, but for sheer ease, it’s a winner.
Calvin Klein Eternity Moment EDP Spray 100ml
Normally £56
Likely to be £22 or less
Calvin Klein produces some of the most popular perfumes while still retaining some edge. Its Eternity scent, first produced in 1988, has hints of pomegranate and warm rosewood. The 60 per cent discount is a significant saving.
Elvis Presley The Complete 1968 Comeback CD Box Set
Normally £25.97
Likely to be £10 or less
The greatest rock and roll star ever? Very possibly. More than thirty years after his death, he still has plenty of fans, many of whom were not even born when he was belting out 'Jailhouse Rock'. Box set contains four discs and 86 songs from when Elvis was at his peak, including a rehearsal version of 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
Xbox 360 console
Normally £145
Likely to be less than £58
The product that helped Microsoft become cool again. Probably the best games console on the market, especially if you splash out the extra £120 to buy the Kinect box and software, the revolutionary technology that will allow you to play games without a joystick and just by moving your body.
Deals from other retailers
Apple, available both in-store and online.
Details of discounts have yet to be released but will not be generous, 15 per cent at most. Last year the iPod range was reduced by between £5 and £11. Don’t expect the latest must-have products, the iPad or the ultra-thin MacBook Air, to be on promotion. However, Quidco, a voucher website, has a deal with Apple whereby shoppers receive a further 5 per cent discount if they buy via Quidco’s site.
Pixmania
Part of the Dixons and Currys empire, this online electrical gadget store is offering substantial discounts on some digital cameras, televisions and camcorders. A Samsung WB600 digital camera has been cut from £250 to £146.
B&Q
Not exactly a romantic Christmas present, but if you are looking to re-do your bathroom before the in-laws come to stay, B&Q is cutting prices on some kitchens and bathrooms this weekend. For instance, a Cooke & Lewis bathroom suite, previously £1,170, will be £585.
London’s West End
To coincide with Oxford Street and Regent Street closing to traffic this coming Saturday, many stores are offering discounts, including Mamas and Papas, the fashionable baby equipment and clothing company, with 10 per cent being knocked off all purchases and 20 per cent of all clothing.
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