Black Friday falls on the 24th November this year, the day after American Thanksgiving. US consumers have been enjoying Black Friday sale shopping for years, but the event only just made it over to the UK in 2013 when Asda (owned by US retail giant Walmart) decided to experiment with offering similar deals to UK customers.
Of course everyone loves a bargain and while Boxing Day is still one of the most popular shopping days in the year, Black Friday is catching up as shoppers take advantage of the opportunity to stock up on cut price Christmas gifts and party outfits.
If you’re looking for the best Black Friday deals in London, we’ve got a rundown of the stores that are running sales this year. Many retailers will open longer than their usual store hours, as early as 6am on Black Friday, so be sure to check times on the retailer website beforehand so you don’t miss out.
1. John Lewis
John Lewis is sticking to its “never knowingly undersold” slogan over Black Friday with the new promise: “If our competitors have a sale, we have a sale.” As well as offering its own discounts, the department store will be price-matching goods that are on sale elsewhere including popular technology, fashion, and home lines. Last year one of the Black Friday bargains on offer at John Lewis was the Ultimate Ears UE BOOM 2 Portable Speaker, reduced from £169.95 to £84.95. Marc Jacobs perfume and Michael Kors bags were also big sellers last year. Deals are expected to start from Friday 24th November (from midnight online) to Cyber Monday on the 27th.
300 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1C 1DX
Open 9.30am – 8pm (12 – 6pm on Sunday)
2. Harrods
Harrods is expected to offer some big discounts on designer labels this year as it joins in the UK Black Friday sale frenzy. The offers aren’t expected to be as generous as those offered on Boxing Day but still a good opportunity to get a discount on some luxury items for gifts and dresses, shoes, and accessories for the Christmas party season. Last year Harrods started their Black Friday sale early with 10% off certain lines from early November, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website and Facebook page.
www.harrods.com
87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL
Open 10am – 9pm (11.30am – 6pm on Sunday)
3. Marks & Spencer
M&S have joined in with the Black Friday sales since 2014 and have confirmed they’ll be doing the same this year, although they generally don’t release details about promo events until the last minute. Last year M&S offered half price discounts on home, clothing, and beauty lines. Discounts are expected to be offered over the four days from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Keep an eye on the brand website and social media for more details towards the end of the month.
Marble Arch, 458 Oxford St, London W1C 1AP
Open 9am – 10pm (12 – 6pm on Sunday)
4. Selfridges
Selfridges was one of the upmarket department stores that eschewed Black Friday in its first years in the UK but after releasing it was losing out to other retailers has now joined in the fun and we get to benefit from the savings. Last year Selfridges ran a “Christmas Come Early” sale with 20% off luxury gifts and 10% off beauty, fragrances, watches, and wine.
400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
Open 9.30am – 9pm (11.30am – 6pm on Sunday)
5. H&M
H&M always go into sales in a big way with discounts of up to 70% and Black Friday is no exception. Expect the sale this year to run from Friday 24th November until the 27th, “Cyber Monday”. Discounts last year were applied to the whole range including menswear, womenswear, kidswear, jewellery, shoes, accessories, and homewares. Join the H&M club to be the first to know about sales and discounts and get 15% off your shopping on club days.
www.hm.com
174-176 Oxford St, Fitzrovia, London W1D 1NX
Open 9am – 10pm (11.30am – 6pm on Sunday)
6. Debenhams
Debenhams ran daily deals in the run up to Black Friday last year and are also expected to run week-long offers of up to 30% off on women’s, men’s and kids’ fashion. Last year they also offered perfumes and men’s shoes at 50% off. Debenhams have confirmed that their Black Friday 2017 offers will start from Monday 20th November online and have promised discounts across beauty, womenswear, menswear, electricals, toys, and home.
www.debenhams.com
334-348 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1C 1JG
Open 9.30am – 10pm (12 – 6pm on Sunday)
7. House of Fraser
Last year House of Fraser slashed prices of certain lines by half and we can expect similar discounts for Black Friday 2017. They’ve already confirmed they’ll be taking part in the sales and put up a Black Friday deals page you can bookmark. Details of the sale have not yet been released but in previous years they’ve offered big discounts on fashion, beauty, toys, and accessories. Christmas trees and decorations were also reduced by 50% last year. The sale is expected to run from Friday 24 November to Monday 27 November.
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
318 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1C 1HF
Open 9.30am – 9pm (12 – 6.30pm on Sunday)
8. Topshop
Topshop offered up to 50% off selected lines last year and similar discounts are expected for 2017. You’ll be able to shop the 2017 Topshop Black Friday Sale online and in-store and it’s expected to run from Friday 24th November and over the weekend. Look out for similar sales at other stores in the Arcadia group including Topman, Miss Selfridge, Burton, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, and Wallis.
214 Oxford St, London W1W 8LG
Open 9.30am – 10pm (11.30am – 6pm on Sunday)
9. River Island
River Island has confirmed they’ll be running a 2017 Black Friday sale. Discounts for this year have not yet been confirmed but previously they’ve run promos including online flash sales of 20 – 30% off for all menswear, womenswear, and kids wear, and up to 50% off certain fashion lines in store such as party wear, shoes, and accessories. Sign up to the River Island newsletter to be the first to find out about the offers for this year. Black Friday deals and special offers are expected to run from Friday 24th November – Monday 27 November
www.riverisland.com
207-213 Oxford St, Soho, London W1D 2LF
Open 9.30am – 10pm (11.30am – 9pm on Sunday)
10. Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters will be holding a Black Friday preview sale on Wednesday 22nd November where selected lines will be slashed by 40% for 24 hours. The main event starts on Thursday 23rd November and runs until Sunday 26th November. Discounts of up to 50% will be offered on certain lines.
200 Oxford St, Fitzrovia, London W1D 1NU
Open 9am – 9pm (12 – 6pm on Sunday)
Additional Online Offer
Mr Shoes is offering upto 30% off on all products. This is a good opportunity to get a discount on attractive shoes, and accessories online, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website and Facebook page.