As Black Friday sales dominate UK retail, many shoppers question whether the discounts are genuine or if waiting for Boxing Day sales would be wiser. A YouGov poll reveals over a third of UK consumers are less interested in Black Friday than two or three years ago, citing misleading discounts as the main reason.
However, price tracking by consumer experts suggests Black Friday often delivers better deals than Boxing Day. Analysis of 50 bestselling products, including the Dyson Supersonic, Kindle Paperwhite, and Ninja Foodi Max Air Fryer, compared prices on Black Friday 2024 with those on 20 December 2024, when Boxing Day sales typically begin.
Results show 52% of products were cheaper on Black Friday, 14% were cheaper before Christmas, and 34% were the same price on both dates. For tech and gaming, 52% of items were cheaper on Black Friday, with notable savings on items like the Ring doorbell (£54 vs £67.99). Senior tech critic Alex Lee notes that tech prices drop on Black Friday but rise closer to Christmas, while Boxing Day sales focus more on fashion.
Household items saw 45% cheaper on Black Friday, with only one item cheaper in Boxing Day sales. Beauty products also favoured Black Friday, with 54% cheaper last year. Experts advise checking historical prices to ensure genuine savings.
