Dark days ahead for Black Friday shops

BLACK Friday sales will be more subdued than in recent years due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to retail experts.

- Tony Whitfield

Shoppers are expected to snap up discounted items that they really want but avoid impulse buys as they keep a close eye on their spending.

But the search for bargains has seen a rise in people looking for secondhand and repaired items.

Despite consumer confidence being at a record low due to soaring inflation and energy bills – and tax increases announced in Thursday’s Autumn Statement – many retailers have started the now traditional annual sales rush early.