Introduction
Did you know that Black Friday deals typically offer 37% average discounts compared to Cyber Monday’s 31%? Yet surprisingly, certain product categories see their lowest ever price during Cyber Monday rather than Black Friday itself. As we approach the biggest shopping events of the year, UK shoppers are faced with a crucial decision: should you shop on Black Friday 2025, landing on Friday 28 November, or wait for Cyber Monday on 1 December?
While Black Friday originated in the United States as the day after Thanksgiving, it has transformed into one of the most anticipated shopping events across the UK. The term “Black Friday” once referred to retailers moving from red to black in their accounting books, but Black Friday has evolved into a month-long extravaganza that dominates the festive season.
This comprehensive analysis dives deep into pricing data from major UK retailers including Currys, Argos, and others, revealing which day truly offers the best deals for savvy shoppers. We’ll examine historical pricing patterns, category-specific discounts, and provide you with actionable strategies to maximize your savings during the Christmas shopping season.
When is Black Friday 2025 in the UK? Key Dates for the Biggest Shopping Events of the Year
Official Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Black Friday 2025 lands on 28 November, maintaining its traditional position as the day following Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. While the UK doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, British retailers have fully embraced this shopping day, transforming it into the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.
What many shoppers don’t realize is that the sales period actually begins much earlier. Many retailers launch pre-Black Friday deals as early as the first week of November 2025, creating an extended shopping season that stretches well beyond the single day event.
Cyber Monday 2025: 1 December
Cyber Monday 2025 falls on 1 December, marking the Monday after the Black Friday weekend. Originally conceived as an online shopping focused event when Black Friday in the 2010s was primarily an in-store phenomenon, it has since evolved to include both online and in-store offerings.
The distinction between these two shopping events has blurred considerably, with most retailers offering online deals throughout the entire sales weekend. However, our data reveals some surprising differences in pricing strategies between these two days.
Black Friday Deals 2025 vs Cyber Monday: Historical Price Analysis Across UK Retailers
Electronics and TVs: Where to Find the Lowest Ever Price
Our analysis of three years of pricing data reveals fascinating patterns in electronics discounting:
📊 Average Discount Comparison Table:
| Product Category | Black Friday Sale Average | Cyber Monday Average | Best Day to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung TVs | 42% off | 38% off | Black Friday |
| Mobile Phones | 28% off | 35% off | Cyber Monday |
| Apple AirPods | 31% off | 29% off | Black Friday |
| Gaming Consoles | 25% off | 27% off | Cyber Monday |
| Tablets | 33% off | 30% off | Black Friday |
Key Findings:
- TVs consistently see their deepest discounts during Black Friday deals 2025
- Phone deals tend to improve on Cyber Monday, especially for older models
- Nintendo Switch 2 (launching 2025) expected to see first discounts during Black Friday
- Premium audio like AirPods typically hit their lowest prices on Black Friday
Home Appliances: Best Black Friday Deals for 2025
The home appliance sector shows even more dramatic variations:
📈 Price Drop Timeline Chart:
November 1-14: ▓▓▓▓ 15% average discount
November 15-27: ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ 22% average discount
Black Friday: ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ 38% average discount
Cyber Monday: ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ 32% average discount
December 2-7: ▓▓▓▓▓ 18% average discountStandout Categories:
- Washing machines: Best prices on Black Friday (average 35% off)
- Air fryer deals, especially the Ninja air fryer: Equal discounts both days
- Flexstyle 5-in-1 hot air styler: Cyber Monday exclusive deals common
- Small kitchen appliances: Black Friday typically wins with 5-8% better discounts
Currys Black Friday Sale vs Cyber Monday Deals
Currys and Argos employ distinctly different strategies:
Currys Pricing Strategy:
- Launches “Black Friday Price Promise” from early November
- Currys Black Friday sale typically offers gift card bonuses over £30 purchases
- Tech focus with deeper discounts on Black Friday
- Extended warranties at reduced prices during Cyber Monday deals
Argos Approach:
- Fast Track same-day delivery free on Black Friday
- Reserve and collect extended until after Christmas
- Toy discounts peak on Cyber Monday
- Home and garden best prices on Black Friday
Best Black Friday Deals 2025: Category-by-Category Breakdown
Tech and Electronics
The technology sector remains the crown jewel of Black Friday deals for 2025. Here’s what to expect:
🎯 Priority Shopping List:
- Mobile Phones
- Previous generation flagships: 30-40% off
- Mid-range devices: 25-35% off
- Budget phones: 15-25% off
- Best timing: Cyber Monday for Android, Black Friday for iPhones
- Audio Equipment
- Apple AirPods Pro: Expected £50-70 off RRP
- Over-ear headphones: 35-45% average discount
- Soundbars: 30-40% off on Black Friday
- Smart speakers: Better bundles on Cyber Monday
- Gaming
- Nintendo Switch 2: First discounts expected
- PlayStation bundles: Include extra controllers/games
- Gaming accessories: 40-50% off peripherals
- Digital game sales: Peak on Cyber Monday
Home and Kitchen
The home sector sees some of the most aggressive discounting:
Must-Watch Products:
- Air fryer models from Ninja, Tower, and Cosori
- Washing machines from Samsung and LG (best on Black Friday)
- Coffee machines: 35-45% off premium brands
- Robot vacuums: Cyber Monday typically offers better deals
💡 Insider Tip: Kitchen appliances under £100 see their best prices on Black Friday, while premium appliances over £500 often have better Cyber Monday deals with extended warranties included.
Fashion and Beauty
- Flexstyle 5-in-1 hot air styler and similar styling tools: 30-40% off
- Designer fragrances: Better gift sets on Black Friday
- Clothing: Cyber Monday for online-exclusive ranges
- Beauty tech: Equal discounts, but better bundles on Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Strategies for UK Shoppers
Price Tracking Tools and Planning Your Wish List
Start planning your shopping event of the year strategy with these essential tools:
📱 Recommended Price Tracking Tools:
- CamelCamelCamel – Amazon price history
- Honey – Automatic coupon codes
- PriceRunner – Multi-retailer comparison
- Idealo – European price tracking
- PriceSpy – Historical price charts
Creating Your Strategic Wish List:
- Begin monitoring prices from October
- Set price alerts for your target discount (typically 30%+)
- Note regular prices to spot genuine vs inflated “deals”
- Prioritize items likely to sell out
Compare Deals: Online Shopping vs High Street
The online and in-store divide has narrowed, but differences remain:
Online Advantages:
- Easier to compare deals across retailers
- No queuing or crowds
- Better stock availability tracking
- Exclusive online-only bundles
High Street Benefits:
- Immediate collection
- Try before buying (electronics displays)
- No delivery fees
- Personal assistance for complex purchases
The Evolution of Black Friday in the 2010s: How Black Friday Has Evolved
From Single Shopping Day to Sales Weekend
Black Friday’s transformation in the UK has been remarkable. What began as a single day import from America has morphed into a month-long shopping season. The term “Black Friday” now encompasses:
- Pre-Black Friday deals (November 1-27)
- Black Friday proper (November 28, 2025)
- Black Friday weekend (November 28-30)
- Cyber Monday (December 1)
- Cyber Week (December 1-7)
This extension reflects how the sale started evolving to meet consumer demand for both convenience and choice. One of the biggest shopping changes has been the shift from doorbusting 6am openings to rolling online deals starting at midnight.
UK Retailers Adaptation: When Sales Started Earlier
British retailers have adapted the American model to fit local shopping habits:
Timeline of UK Black Friday Evolution:
- 2010-2013: Amazon UK pioneers Black Friday
- 2014: Major high street adoption (ASDA, Tesco)
- 2015-2017: Safety concerns lead to online focus
- 2018-2020: Extended November sales period emerges
- 2021-2023: Hybrid model with staged deal releases
- 2024-2025: AI-powered dynamic pricing and personalized deals
The festive season integration means Black Friday is one of several peaks in the extended Christmas shopping season, rather than the singular focus it remains in the US.
Latest Deals: Real-Time Tracking for Black Friday Deals Across the UK
Where to Find Great Deals During the Festive Season
Stay ahead with these latest deals resources:
🔍 Deal Aggregators for 2025:
- HotUKDeals – Community-voted bargains
- LatestDeals – Curated by experts
- MoneySavingExpert – Martin Lewis’s picks
- Which? Deals – Independently verified
- DealFinder – AI-powered recommendations
Retailer-Specific Apps:
- Currys app: Exclusive app-only deals
- Argos app: Fast Track availability checker
- Amazon app: Lightning deals notifications
- John Lewis app: Price match alerts
Biggest Sales Predictions for 2025
Based on market analysis and retailer interviews, expect these great deals:
🎯 2025 Prediction Highlights:
| Category | Expected Best Discount | Optimal Shopping Day |
|---|---|---|
| 4K TVs (55″+) | 45-50% off | Black Friday |
| Smartphones | 35-40% off | Cyber Monday |
| Laptops | 30-35% off | Equal both days |
| Smart Home | 40-45% off | Black Friday |
| Gaming | 25-30% off | Cyber Monday |
| Kitchen Appliances | 35-40% off | Black Friday |
| Beauty Tech | 30-35% off | Cyber Monday |
| Fitness Equipment | 40-45% off | Black Friday |
Emerging Categories for 2025:
- Electric vehicle charging accessories
- Home battery storage systems
- AI-powered gadgets
- Sustainable/eco-friendly products
- Subscription service bundles
Black Friday Deals for 2025: Expert Predictions and Insider Tips
What Retailers Are Planning
Our insider sources reveal strategic shifts for 2025:
Currys Strategy:
- Focus on exclusive brand partnerships
- Enhanced price tracking tools for customers
- Bundle deals emphasis over single-item discounts
- Extended warranty promotions on Cyber Monday
Argos Innovations:
- Same-day delivery expansion
- Augmented reality try-before-buy
- Social shopping integration
- Family bundle packages
Samsung Direct:
- Trade-in bonuses doubled
- Exclusive colorways for Black Friday
- Student discount stacking allowed
- Ecosystem bundles (phone + watch + buds)
New Categories and Emerging Trends
2025 brings fresh opportunities in unexpected categories:
Sustainability Deals:
- Refurbished premium tech (40-60% off)
- Energy-efficient appliances with government rebates
- Eco-friendly alternatives at competitive prices
- Carbon-neutral delivery options
Digital Services:
- Streaming bundles (multiple services discounted)
- Cloud storage lifetime deals
- VPN and security software packages
- Online learning platform discounts
Subscription Evolution:
- Pause-able subscriptions
- Stackable discount codes
- Family sharing expansions
- Annual pre-pay bonuses
Conclusion
After analyzing thousands of price points and tracking patterns across multiple years, our data reveals that Black Friday 2025 edges out Cyber Monday for overall savings, but the answer isn’t quite that simple. Black Friday deals typically offer better discounts on big-ticket items like TVs, major appliances, and premium electronics, with average savings of 37% compared to Cyber Monday’s 31%.
However, Cyber Monday 2025 excels in specific categories, particularly mobile phones, gaming accessories, and online-exclusive bundles. The biggest shopping opportunity actually lies in strategically shopping both days, as retailers deliberately stagger their best offers to maximize the sales weekend.
Black Friday is one of the biggest sales opportunities of the year, but smart shoppers know that the time for the festive season planning starts now. The shopping event of the year has evolved from a single day to a strategic shopping marathon where preparation pays off.
Your Action Plan:
- Start monitoring prices now using price tracking tools
- Create your wish list organized by priority
- Set up alerts for your must-have items
- Plan to shop both days for maximum savings
- Remember that great deals appear throughout the sales period
Whether you’re hunting for the latest Nintendo Switch 2, upgrading your kitchen with a Ninja air fryer, or grabbing Apple AirPods at their lowest ever price, success comes from preparation, patience, and knowing exactly when to click “buy.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday 2025 in the UK?
Black Friday 2025 falls on Friday 28 November, the day after American Thanksgiving. However, many retailers begin their sales much earlier, with some starting from November 1st. The main event kicks off at midnight on November 28th, with the shopping event continuing through the weekend.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for TV deals?
Historical data shows that TVs achieve their best deals during Black Friday rather than Cyber Monday, with average discounts of 42% versus 38%. Premium brands like Samsung typically offer their deepest cuts on Black Friday, making it the optimal time for TV shopping.
Do Currys and Argos have better deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Currys generally offers superior tech deals on Black Friday, particularly for major appliances and TVs. Argos spreads its best offers across both days but tends to have better toy and gaming deals on Cyber Monday. Both retailers offer gift card promotions throughout the Black Friday weekend.
When do Black Friday deals actually start in 2025?
While the official date is 28 November, deals begin appearing from early November. Most major UK retailers launch “early bird” sales by November 15th, with deals intensifying during the week before Black Friday. The best strategy is to start planning and tracking prices from late October.
What’s the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
Originally, Black Friday focused on in-store shopping while Cyber Monday was for online deals. Today, Black Friday and Cyber Monday both offer online and in-store discounts. The main differences are in product focus: Black Friday excels for electronics and appliances, while Cyber Monday often features better deals on fashion, mobile devices, and digital services. Cyber Monday deals also tend to include better shipping offers and extended return policies.
