From American Tradition to British Shopping Frenzy
Black Friday is now one of the biggest shopping days of the year in the UK — a weekend of unmissable deals, packed high streets, and those “Go on then, I’ll treat myself” bargains. But it might surprise you to know that Black Friday hasn’t actually been part of British culture for very long.
So… how did a distinctly American shopping tradition end up becoming a major event on this side of the pond?
The American Beginning
Black Friday originally started in the United States, landing on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was seen as the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, with retailers offering big discounts to kick things off.
By the early 2000s, Black Friday had become a full-blown event in the US — with queues forming at dawn, crowds rushing into stores, and a lot of publicity from national news channels. Naturally, British brands began to take notice.
When Black Friday Crossed the Atlantic
The UK’s first major introduction to Black Friday came in 2010, and surprisingly, it wasn’t a British retailer who brought it over — it was Amazon. They launched a week of US-style discounts on their UK site, and customers loved it. The idea quickly caught on.
But the real turning point came in 2013–2014, when UK supermarkets and major retailers — like Asda, Tesco, and John Lewis — jumped on board. Suddenly, Black Friday wasn’t just an online event anymore; it had arrived on the high street.
The Moment It Became “A Thing”
Most people remember 2014 as the year Black Friday truly exploded in the UK. With heavily discounted TVs and electronics, some stores saw huge crowds and chaotic scenes (yes, those viral videos). It was official — Black Friday had become a major calendar event.
From that point on, British retailers extended deals across whole weekends, and eventually whole weeks — now known as the “Black Friday Weekend” or “Cyber Week.”
How It’s Changed Today
The UK’s Black Friday has matured a lot since those early years. Stores have moved away from frantic “doorbuster” sales and more towards:
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Online deals
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Longer sale periods
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Gift experiences and vouchers
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Less pressure, more browsing
It’s now as much about convenience as it is about bargains — and for many people, it marks the perfect time to pick up Christmas gifts, treats, and special days out (like… ahem… sightseeing cruises & our gift vouchers).
Why the UK Loves It
Black Friday arrived just as online shopping was booming, and British shoppers quickly embraced:
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The buzz
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The feeling of getting ahead for Christmas
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The chance to bag value without leaving the sofa
And with cost-conscious shoppers looking for smart ways to stretch their festive spending, Black Friday has stayed firmly on the UK calendar.
PS want to bag a bargain? Use code BlackFriday25 on our website for 50% OFF Sightseeing Cruises and Gift Vouchers – Now that’s a brilliant Black Friday Offer!!!
