Have your say! Do you save your Christmas shopping until Black Friday?

Black Friday is nearly upon us, and retailers are cutting prices left, right and centre as the Christmas shopping season kicks off in full swing. Two decades ago, this American shopping event was virtually unheard of in the UK - now it's a festive season staple.

Have your say! Are you looking forward to browsing on Black Friday? Have you already picked something up from a sales event? Has it been a good addition to the festive calendar? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

The introduction of Black Friday into the UK has turned it into one of the most hectic shopping days of the year. In the 2010s, it was synonymous with chaotic supermarket dashes and shoppers loading up trolleys with half-price TVs.

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Nowadays, it's predominantly an online event, with many retailers extending their offers over a week or more of sales. Boxing Day used to be the traditional big sales event of the year here, but it's being eclipsed by this relatively new American import.

It's easy to get swept up in the thrill and enticing limited-time deals, but it's crucial to take a step back and do your own research before entering your card details. Consumer group Which? have cautioned that many of the so-called 'big deals' may not offer as much savings as you might think.

In a study analysing last year's Black Friday events at eight major retailers, consumer watchdog Which? discovered that 90% of Black Friday deals were either the same price or cheaper at other times of the year. In some instances, retailers advertised "original" prices that were higher than they had ever been listed on their website, in an attempt to make the discounts appear more substantial.

There were also indications last year that the popularity of Black Friday was waning, as financial pressures on households increase due to the rising cost of living and inflation in the UK. Every year, Martin Lewis ' MoneySavingExpert advises consumers not to be swept up in the "hype", and to carefully consider whether they both need and can afford what they wish to purchase.

Nevertheless, having all these sales events occurring at the same time can be beneficial, and if you're willing to invest the time, you might just snag a bargain at the right price for you.

Have your say! Are you looking forward to browsing on Black Friday? Have you already picked something up from a sales event? Has it been a good addition to the festive calendar? Comment below, and join in on the conversation

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