Black Friday, the UK's biggest pre-Christmas shopping event, isn't far off, but we're expecting early deals and discounts from a host of major retailers well ahead of the date itself this year.
In 2024, Black Friday took place on 29th November, but many retailers started the sale season earlier than ever - and we're expecting more of the same in 2025. All those early deals can be confusing for consumers, prompting people to wonder about the merits of shopping on Black Friday vs Cyber Monday or whether Cyber Monday is worth waiting for - but we've got that and all your other Black Friday questions covered.
If you're hoping to stock up on your favourite beauty buys, shop for fashion finds, invest in some health or fitness kit, or bag some serious savings on big-ticket home buys, here's everything you need to know - including when Black Friday starts in the UK, how long the deals will last, and what (we predict) some of the best savings will be.
Black Friday sales we're waiting for
- All Beauty: Deals of the week
- Amazon: Black Friday sale coming soon
- Anthropologie: Up to 30% off now live
- Argos: Black Friday deals returning soon
- Marks and Spencer: Up to 50% off sale
- Oliver Bonas: End of season sale
- Sephora: 50% off select beauty
- Very: Up to 50% off
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday falls on 28th November 2025, the day after Thanksgiving in the US. But in the UK, retailers rarely stick to just one day. Expect early Black Friday sales to start from as early as the beginning of November and run throughout the month until Cyber Monday, which this year falls on 1st December 2025.
What is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday is an annual sales event that takes place on a different date in November each year. It has grown in popularity in the UK in recent years. Before that, it was primarily a US-focused sale event, traditionally taking place the day after Thanksgiving.
Some retailers don't participate in Black Friday, but many do, including Amazon, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Very, LookFantastic, Nars, Selfridges and Trinny London.
How long do Black Friday deals last?
Black Friday was once a 24-hour sale, but it's now a month-long shopping season. In 2024, we saw most major retailers launch Black Friday discounts weeks early. This year, we expect more of the same, which means the best deals are likely to sell out well before the official Black Friday date.
When does Black Friday end?
Black Friday officially ends at 11:59 PM on 29th November, but most retailers continue offering deals throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday, which falls on 1st December this year. To avoid missing out, it's advisable to snap up a deal as soon as you spot it because there's no guarantee that stocks will last during Cyber Weekend, especially on very popular items.
How often is Black Friday?
Black Friday deals happen once a year in November. In addition to Black Friday, many retailers host significant summer sales as well as one in January, and you'll often find end-of-season clearance items available on retailers' websites throughout the year. However, Black Friday is unofficially the biggest sale event of the year for many of the UK's major retailers.
Why is it called Black Friday?
The modern use of the term Black Friday to describe the day after Thanksgiving originated in the 1950s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when huge numbers of shoppers and football fans descended upon the city, creating heavy traffic. Law enforcement officers - forced to work longer hours to accommodate the crowds -began referring to this chaotic day as Black Friday.
By the late 1980s, retailers had also begun using the term to describe a notable shift in financial status from the red (indicating losses) to the black (indicating profits) due to this annual day of peak shopping activity.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is on Monday, 1st December 2025, and is likely to see prices slashed on a wide range of products until 11:59 PM that day. Some retailers extend their sales by an extra day until midnight on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the last official day of Black Friday sales. As you might expect, it's the Monday immediately following Black Friday. Historically, Black Friday deals were in-store-only discounts, with retailers waiting until the following Monday to drop prices online - hence the name Cyber Monday. That distinction no longer applies since most retailers offer online shopping as standard, but the name Cyber Monday has stuck as a way of talking about the last-chance deals that mark the end of Black Friday sale shopping season.
What Black Friday 2025 deals can we expect?
Our team of shopping editors and experts predict the biggest Black Friday deals will include:
- Beauty: Discounts on premium skincare, makeup, hair tools and LED masks
- Fashion: Deals on everything from designer handbags to comfy trainers
- Home: Vacuums, coffee machines, stand mixers, air fryers and dehumidifiers
- Health: Sleep essentials, fitness trackers, smart watches and workout gear
- Tech: Amazon devices, including Kindles and smart speakers
How to prepare for Black Friday 2025
- Set a budget so you're not distracted but things you didn't intend to buy
- Sign up for your favourite retailers' newsletters for early access to sales
- Write a list of the items you're after, and read reviews and buying guides
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